**The Second Time Around**
*Mum, I dont want to go to Grandmas!* cried little Emily, seven years old, squirming out of her mothers arms. *She doesnt like me! She only likes Uncle Michaels kids!*
*Emily, dont be silly,* sighed Sarah, tiredly buttoning her daughters coat. *Grandma loves all her grandchildren the same.*
*No, she doesnt!* Emily stamped her foot. *Yesterday, she gave OliverAunt Sophies boyice cream, and I got nothing!*
*Maybe you had a sore throat?* Sarah offered weakly.
*No! She just doesnt like me because Im not her real granddaughter!*
Sarah froze, the hairbrush still in her hand. How could a seven-year-old know these things? Who had told her?
*Emily, who said that?*
*No one,* Emily turned to the window. *I figured it out. Oliver says his dad and my dad are brothers. And I know my dad isnt my real dad. My real dad lives far away.*
Sarahs chest tightened. She sat beside Emily on the sofa.
*Listen carefully, love. Dad James is your real father. Hes loved and cared for you since you were two. And Grandma Margaret loves you too.*
*Then why does she always praise Oliver and scold me?* Emilys eyes welled up.
Sarah hesitated. Because Emily was right. Her mother-in-law *did* treat her differently from her eldest sons child.
*Were late,* James stepped into the room. *Emily, get dressed or Grandma will be waiting.*
*I dont want to go!* Emily sobbed. *She hates me!*
James glanced at Sarah, confused. *Whats wrong?*
*Ill explain later,* Sarah whispered. *Emily, get ready. Well all go together.*
They walked through the park in silence. Emily dragged her feet behind them, sniffling. James carried a bag of groceries for his mother, while Sarah dreaded the visit.
Margaret had always been difficult. When James introduced Sarah and her two-year-old daughter, his mother had been cold.
*Why raise another mans child?* shed scoffed. *Find a proper girl and have your own.*
But James was stubborn. He loved Sarah and Emily as his own. They married, he adopted her legally, and gave her his name.
Margaret tolerated itbut she never loved Emily the way she deserved. Especially when her eldest, Richard, gave her a “real” grandson: Oliver.
*Is she home?* James asked, knocking.
*Come in!* Margarets voice rang out.
She opened the door, embracing James. *Oh, my boy, Ive missed you!* She kissed his cheek and nodded at Sarah. *Hello, dear.*
*Hello, Mrs. Harris.*
*And wheres my little granddaughter?* Margaret spotted Emily hiding behind James.
*Here,* Emily mumbled.
*Sit down,* Margaret ushered them inside. *How are you? James, youve lost weight!*
*No, Mum, Im fine,* he laughed. *Sarahs cooking keeps me well-fed.*
*Good. And Emily, hows school? Good marks?*
*Fine,* Emily muttered.
*Answer properly,* Sarah chided.
*Let her be,* Margaret waved a hand. *Children are like that. Oliver got a D in Maths yesterday. Richard spent all evening tutoring him.*
*Emily gets straight As in Maths,* James said proudly.
*Lovely,* Margaret replied flatly. *Richards bringing Oliver later. They miss their uncle.*
Sarah saw Emilys face darken. She knew Grandma was happier to see one grandchild over the other.
*Mum, remember when Emily recited that poem last month?* James offered.
*Yes, very sweet.*
*Would you like to hear another?* Emily asked timidly.
*Go on, then.*
Emily stood in the middle of the room and recited a poem about spring. Sarah saw how hard she was trying to please.
*Well done,* Margaret clapped when she finished. *Now wash your handslunch is ready.*
Emily obeyed, while Sarah stayed to help set the table.
*Mrs. Harris, may I speak with you?* Sarah whispered.
*About what?*
*Emily. She feels you treat her differently.*
Margaret slammed a plate down. *Nonsense.*
*Its not. Children notice. She cried this morning, didnt want to come.*
*And what do I do wrong?* Margaret snapped. *I feed her, invite her over.*
*But she sees the difference. When Oliver visits, you hug him, spoil him. With Emily, its cold.*
*Because she isnt mine!* Margaret hissed. *I didnt birth her! She has her own grandmotherlet *her* care for her!*
*Mrs. Harris, its not Emilys fault she isnt Jamess by blood. Shes been your granddaughter for five years. He adopted her, gave her his name.*
*Its just paperwork,* Margaret rolled her eyes. *Blood is blood. Olivers my grandsonshes just… a guest.*
Sarahs throat tightened. *So youll never love her?*
*Why should I? When you two have real children, then well talk.*
Just then, Emily walked in.
*Mum, why did Grandma call me a guest?* Her voice trembled. *Im her granddaughter!*
Sarah realized shed heard everything. Margaret flushed.
*Emily, go to your dad,* Sarah said quickly.
*No! I want to know why Grandma doesnt like me!*
*I do like you,* Margaret lied.
*Liar! You said Im not yours!* Emily burst into tears and ran out.
Sarah glared at Margaret before following.
In the lounge, Emily was curled beside James, sobbing as he stroked her hair. *What happened?*
*Your mother called Emily a guest,* Sarah said coldly. *And didnt bother hiding it.*
James went pale. *Mum, is this true?*
Margaret shuffled in, shame-faced. *Son, I didnt mean It just slipped out.*
*She said Im not hers!* Emily cried. *That I have my own grandma!*
James stood, jaw clenched. *Mum, how could you?*
*James, I only*
*Only what?*
In the end, after tears and hard words, Grandma Margaret hugged Emily and promised to love her as her own. From that day on, Emily never felt alone in the family again.
