« Yes. »
I handled that phone call poorly.
So Ariel isn’t in trouble.
« Absolutely not. »
I pressed one hand against my chest.
« You have taken five years of my life. »
Mr. Reed actually seemed to be ashamed.
He then said: « We would like to nominate Ariel for community recognition. »
« You have taken five years of my life. »
I looked at my daughter.
Did you hear that?
Ariel shrugged.
I heard it.
Mr. Reed smiled.
She is very modest.
Did you hear that?
She looks a lot like Ariel.
Mrs. Grunwald smiled briefly at that.
A wave of pride washed over me. Ariel had finally been noticed.
Mr. Reed folded his hands.
We would also like to share a short message about what she has done. Nothing extensive. Just something for the school community.
She looks a lot like Ariel.
Ariel looked up.
Do we really have to do that?
‘No,’ said Mr. Reed. ‘Only with your mother’s permission. And you have a say, of course.’
I should have stopped there.
Instead, I heard something else.
Ariel deserves recognition.
Do we really have to do that?
‘Jennifer?’ asked Mr. Reed.
« Yes. »
Ariel turned to me.
« Mama. »
« It just shows people what you have done. »
Mrs. Grunwald moved closer to the window.
« Mama. »
‘Maybe not everything,’ she said.
I turned around.
She touched the new frames. « I don’t need any hassle. »
It is a good thing.
I still prefer that my private life remains private.
Mrs. Grunwald looked at Ariel.
I don’t need any hassle.
If you feel comfortable with it.
Ariel shrugged slightly.
I mistakenly took that for consent.
‘Then yes,’ I said. ‘You have my permission.’
***
The message was posted that afternoon.
At first, I thought it was amazing.
If you feel comfortable with it.
I found it terrible to admit that later, but I did.
The article described Ariel as a thoughtful ten-year-old girl who had saved her pocket money and helped an older janitor replace a broken pair of glasses.
The accolades followed quickly.
What an amazing kid.
Her mother must be proud.
The accolades followed quickly.
I took a screenshot of that.
Then I saved another one: « That is how children should be raised. »
Ariel entered the living room with an apple in her hand.
‘They say nice things about you,’ I said to her.
She leaned over my shoulder along with me.
What do they say about Mrs. Grunwald?
This is how children should be raised.
I scrolled further down.
My smile disappeared.
Someone asked why such an elderly woman still had to work.
Someone else wanted to pick out the groceries for her.
Ariel frowned.
I scrolled further down.
She didn’t ask for that at all.
« Nee. »
« Did she say she couldn’t afford food? »
« Nee. »
« Why do they behave the way she did, then? »
I have locked the screen.
She didn’t ask for that at all.
Because people fill in gaps they don’t understand.
« Do you think Mrs. Grunwald saw this? »
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