**A Second Chance is Worth It**
*Mum, I dont want to go to Grandmas!* seven-year-old Emily shrieked, wriggling out of her mothers grasp. *She doesnt like me! She only likes Uncle Olivers son!*
*Emily, dont be silly,* sighed Charlotte, fastening her daughters coat. *Grandma loves all her grandchildren the same.*
*No, she doesnt!* Emily stamped her foot. *Yesterday she gave James ice creamAunt Sophies boyand not me!*
*Maybe you had a sore throat?* Charlotte offered weakly.
*No! She just doesnt like me because Im not her real grandchild!*
Charlotte froze, the hairbrush still in her hand. How did a seven-year-old know such things? Who had told her?
*Emily, who said that?*
*No one.* Emily turned to the window. *I figured it out. James said his dad and my dad are brothers. And I know my dad isnt my real dad. My real dad lives far away.*
Charlottes chest tightened. She sat beside her daughter on the sofa.
*Emily, listen carefully. Dad William is your real dad. He loves you so muchhes looked after you since you were two. And Grandma Margaret loves you too.*
*Then why does she always praise James and tell me off?* Tears welled in Emilys eyes.
Charlotte had no answer. Because Emily was right. Her mother-in-law *did* treat her differently from her eldest sons grandson.
*Love, were running late,* William said, stepping into the room. *Emily, hurry up or Grandma will be waiting.*
*I dont want to go!* Emily wailed. *She doesnt like me!*
William glanced at Charlotte, puzzled. *Whats going on?*
*Ill explain later,* Charlotte whispered. *Emily, get dressed. Well all go together.*
They walked through the park in silence. Emily dragged her feet behind them, sniffling now and then. William carried a bag of groceries for his mother, while Charlotte dreaded the visit.
Margaret had always been difficult. When William introduced Charlotte and her two-year-old daughter, his mother had been cold.
*Why take on another mans child?* shed said. *Find a proper girl and have your own.*
But William was stubborn. He loved Charlotte and Emily as his own. They married, he adopted her legally, and gave her his name.
Margaret accepted itbut she never truly loved her granddaughter. Especially when her eldest, Richard, gave her a *real* grandson: James.
*Is she home?* William asked, knocking.
*Yes, yes,* came the reply. *Come in.*
Margaret opened the door and hugged her son. *William, Ive missed you!* She kissed his cheek and nodded at Charlotte. *Hello, dear.*
*Hello, Mrs. Bennett.*
*And wheres my little granddaughter?* Margaret noticed Emily hiding behind her father.
*Here,* Emily mumbled.
*Come in, sit down.* Margaret led them to the sitting room. *How are you all? William, youve lost weight.*
*No, Mum, Im fine.* He laughed. *Charlottes a brilliant cook.*
*Thats good. And Emily, hows school? Good marks?*
*Fine,* Emily muttered.
*Emily, answer properly,* Charlotte chided.
*Leave her,* Margaret waved a hand. *Children are like that. James got a C in Maths yesterday. Richard spent the afternoon tutoring him.*
*Emily only gets As in Maths,* William said proudly.
*Very good,* Margaret said flatly. *Richards coming today with James. They miss their uncle.*
Charlotte saw Emilys face darken. She knew Grandma was happier to see one grandchild than the other.
*Mum, remember when Emily recited that poem last month?* William asked.
*I do.* Margaret nodded. *It was lovely.*
*Should I do another one?* Emily offered timidly.
*Go on, then.*
Emily stood in the middle of the room and recited a poem about spring. Charlotte saw how hard she was trying to please.
*Very nice,* Margaret clapped when she finished. *Now go wash your handslunch is ready.*
Emily obeyed, and Charlotte stayed to help set the table.
*Mrs. Bennett, may I speak with you?* she whispered.
*About what?*
*Emily. She feels you treat her differently.*
Margaret slammed a plate down. *I dont know what you mean.*
*You do. Children notice everything. She cried today because she didnt want to come.*
*And what have I done wrong?* Margaret turned. *I feed her, I invite her.*
*But she sees the difference. When James visits, you kiss him, hug him, give him gifts. With Emily, its cold.*
*Because shes not mine!* Margaret snapped. *I didnt birth her! She has her own grandmotherlet her look after her!*
*Mrs. Bennett, Emily isnt to blame for not being Williams by blood. Shes been your granddaughter for five years. He adopted her, gave her his name.*
*Its just paperwork,* Margaret scoffed. *Blood is thicker than water. James is my grandsonshes a goddaughter.*
Charlottes throat tightened. *So youll never love my daughter?*
*Why should I? When you have real children, well talk.*
Just then, Emily walked in.
*Mum, why did Grandma call me a goddaughter?* Her voice trembled. *Im her granddaughter!*
Charlotte realised shed heard everything. Margaret flushed.
*Emily, go to your dad,* Charlotte urged.
*No! I want to know why Grandma doesnt like me!*
*Emily, I do like you,* Margaret tried.
*Liar! You said Im a goddaughter! Im notIm Dad Williams real daughter!*
Sobbing, Emily ran out. Charlotte glared at her mother-in-law and followed.
In the sitting room, Emily clung to William, crying as he stroked her hair.
*What happened?*
*Your mother called Emily a goddaughter,* Charlotte said coldly. *And she meant it.*
William paled. *Mum, is this true?*
Margaret shuffled in, ashamed. *Son, I didnt mean It just slipped out.*
*Grandma said Im not hers,* Emily wept. *That I have my own grandma.*
William stood, jaw clenched. *Mum, how could you?*
*Darling, I only*
*Only what?*
In the end, after tears and hard words, Grandma Margaret hugged Emily and promised to love her as a true granddaughter. And from that day on, Emily never felt alone in that family again.
