Excerpt

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     Lacy loved going in and out through the back door into the large back yard. Anna was always nervous that she would fall. As she prepared a bottle for Grace, Lacy screamed. Anna turned and saw her daughter fall down the steps. She dropped the bottle and ran toward the door.

     Linda never moved so fast. She pushed Anna out of the way and was the first to reach Lacy. “Grandma got you, Lacy. Let me kiss your boo-boo and make everything okay.” She turned and glared at Anna. “Where were you, Anna? Get me that towel and call the doctor!”

     “I was right there. If you hadn’t pushed me out of the way, I would have stopped her from falling further down the steps,” Anna blurted out.

     Linda ignored Anna as she consoled Lacy, singing to her to stop her from crying. “Call the doctor!”

     “I am!” Anna yelled back. “Hello?” Anna stumbled over her words as she tried to explain what happened to Lacy. It took three attempts to get the words right. As she ended the call, she turned toward Lacy and her mother. “I’ll take her now.”

     “Don’t you dare! I’ve got her. What did the doctor say?”

     “He said to bring her in if the bleeding doesn’t stop. I need to look at her and see if anything is wrong.”

     “I got her.” Linda pulled her away.

     Grace began to cry. Anna picked up the bottle and checked on it. It was okay so she rushed out of the room to make sure Grace was okay. She was in the playpen. She picked up Grace and fed her the formula. “How is she?” Anna yelled across the room.

     “She chipped her tooth, but she’s okay.” There was a pause. “What are you doing?”

     “I’m feeding Grace.”

     “You should be feeding her the baby food I bought her, Anna. Why are you giving her the bottle?”

     “Because she needs both. I’m her mother, not you.” Anna didn’t mean to let it slip but she angry.

     Linda chewed Anna out. It was normal but some of the things Linda said made Anna more upset. “I am her mother second time removed. I am your mother so if I say something you listen.”

     “I’m a grown adult, Mother. I can make my own decisions when it comes to my children.”

     “No, you can’t, Anna. This is my house and you will do what you’re told.” Linda said something to Lacy. Anna couldn’t hear. “Get the baby food and feed Grace.”