Page 103 of A Little Twist

“It’s possible I do spoil her.”

“You think?” She doesn’t look at me, and I let the sarcasm in her tone pass.

“Everything okay with you?”

“It takes a lot more than a rambunctious five-year-old to upset me, Alex.”

“I’m sure you’ve seen a lot worse.” I motion to the bed. “Your bag is out.”

She stands, walking to the dresser and opening it. “Yes, I got an email from a friend… He’s working on a documentary about the plight of women in Afghanistan and wants me to join the team.”

It’s the announcement I’ve been waiting for since the day she showed up here. “Sounds right up your alley.”

“We have a Zoom chat in ten minutes.” She meets my eyes for the first time since I entered her room. “I was on the fence about even talking to him, but it’s a compelling story. The Taliban has practically erased women from society there.”

“I see.”

“Did you know about the situation?” Her voice takes on that impassioned tone I know so well.

“I can’t say that I did.”

“That’s the problem. No one does. Someone has to shine a light on what’s happening.”

“I’m sure it’s very important.”

“It’s a way to make a difference in the world.”

Nodding, I have no response to her. I’m only glad I trusted my instincts and didn’t make a big deal out of Jessica returning to be a part of her daughter’s life.

“Are you mad at me?” Her voice changes, and it reminds me of when I watched her packing for Africa, when my daughter was only six weeks old.

Now, my only concern is protecting that little human. “I never expected you to stay.”

“I’m sorry, Alex. I’ve seen too much to sit in one place and let atrocities go unreported.”

“Of course.” Straightening, I go to her door. “I’d like to draw up papers. I want to have full custody of Penelope.”

Silence fills the space between us, and she looks at the computer a moment, nodding her head slowly. “What will you say to her?”

“I’ll think of something.”

“I trust you.” Blue eyes meet mine, and she knows I would never let Pinky think her mother was a bad person. “Send me whatever you need, and I’ll sign it.”

“Take care of yourself.”

* * *

“It’sa good thing I came back early!” My mother’s eyes shine as she sits at the picnic table on the deck at Aiden’s house while the grandkids surround her with hugs.

“You were gone a long, long time Gran.” Pinky informs her. “I learned to play baseball, and I hit a homer, and Owen says I can’t do it again, but I bet I can.”

“Take a breath, Sweet P,” I chuckle, watching her crawl into her grandmother’s lap.

Owen lets out a groan. “It was beginner’s luck.”

“Was not!” Pinky argues. “I hit a stinker before that. Uncle Adam said so!”

Mom squeezes my daughter, laughing. “I have to see my Pinky hit a baseball!”

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