Mum, I dont want to go to Nans! cried little Alice, seven years old, wriggling out of her mothers arms. She doesnt like me! She only likes Uncle Michael!
Alice, dont make things up, replied Emma wearily as she buttoned up her daughters coat. Your nan loves all her grandchildren equally.
Thats not true! Alice stamped her foot. Yesterday she gave WillAunt Sophies sonice cream, and I didnt get anything!
Maybe your throat was sore? Emma suggested, trying to sound reasonable.
No! She just doesnt like me because Im not her real sons child!
Emma froze, the hairbrush still in her hand. How did her child know such things? Who could have told her?
Alice, who said that to you?
No one, muttered the little girl, turning to stare out of the window. I figured it out. Will says his dad and my dad are brothers. And I know my dad isnt my real dad; my real dad lives far away.
Emmas heart twisted with pain. She sat down next to her daughter on the sofa.
Alice, listen to me. DadDad Jamesis your dad. He loves you so much, hes cared for you since you were two. And Nan Margaret loves you too.
Then why is she always praising Will and having a go at me? Alices eyes filled with tears.
Emma didnt know what to say. Because Alice was right. Her mother-in-law really did treat her daughter differently from her sons eldest grandchild.
Were running late, James called, stepping into the sitting room. Alice, get your things on, love. Nanll be waiting.
I dont want to go! Alice wailed again, wiping her eyes. She doesnt love me!
James turned to his wife, bewildered.
Whats all this about?
Ill tell you later, Emma whispered. Alice, pleaselets all go together.
They walked in silence through the chilly city park. Alice shuffled along behind her parents, an occasional sob bursting forth. James lugged a bag of shopping to take to his mums, while Emma worried how the afternoon would unfold.
Margaret had always been a hard woman to please. When James first brought Emma and her two-year-old daughter around, his mother greeted them coldly.
Whats the point of raising a child that isnt yours? shed said to her son. Find a proper girl and have your own kids.
But James had always been stubborn. He loved Emmaand Aliceas his own. They married, he officially adopted Alice, and she took his surname.
Margaret had accepted the situation, but had never managed to truly love Alice as she deserved. Especially after Jamess elder brother, Richard, gifted her a true grandsonWill.
Are you in? James called out, knocking at the door.
Im here, come on in, was the voice from within. Margaret opened the door, pulling James into a hug.
My James, I do miss you! She kissed his cheek and nodded to Emma. Hello, Emma.
Hello, Mrs. Sawyer.
And wheres my granddaughter? Nans eyes fell on Alice hovering at the doorway behind her father.
Im here, Alice muttered.
Come in, sit downcome on, all of you. Margaret ushered them to the living room. How are things? James, youve lost weight, havent you?
No, Mum, Im fineEmmas a brilliant cook. He chuckled.
Thats good. And Alice, hows school? Doing well in your lessons?
Im all right, Alice mumbled.
Alice, answer your nan politely, Emma chided.
Oh, let her be, Margaret waved a dismissive hand. Children are like that. Will got a C in maths yesterday. Richard spent all afternoon tutoring him.
Alice only gets top marks in maths, James said, his voice full of paternal pride.
Well done, Nan said, rather briskly. Richard and Will are coming round today too. You lot have missed them.
Emma spotted the darkness pass over Alices face. She knew Nan was always more animated whenever Will came to visit.
Mum, remember last month when Alice performed a poem for you? James asked. She spent ages learning it.
Yes, I remember. Margaret nodded. It was lovely.
Would you like to hear another? Alice offered shyly.
Yes, go ahead, dear.
Alice stood in the middle of the lounge, and began to recite a poem about springtime, her voice trembling with hopes for praise. Emma could see her daughters effort, her longing for approval.
Very nice, clapped Nan, coolly. Now, go wash your hands, its nearly lunchtime.
Alice trudged off obediently. Emma followed Margaret into the kitchen to set the table.
Mrs. Sawyer, can I have a private word? Emma asked quietly.
What about?
Its Alice, she said gently. She feels you treat her differently.
Margaret clattered a plate onto the table.
I don’t know what you mean.
You do. Children pick up everything. She cried this morning because she didnt want to come.
And what exactly am I doing wrong? Margaret rounded on her. I feed her, I invite her over
But she can feel it. When Wills here, you kiss him, hug him, bring him presents. With Alice, its cold.
Thats because shes not really mine! Margaret snapped. I didnt give birth to her! Shes got her own nanlet her nan look after her!
Emma felt a lump rise in her throat.
Mrs. Sawyer, Alice cant help not being Jamess child by blood. Shes been your granddaughter for five years. He adopted her, gave her his family name.
Names mean nothing, Margaret sniffed. Blood is blood. Wills my grandsonAlice is just a goddaughter.
Emma pressed her lips together to keep from crying.
So youll never love my daughter? Ever?
Why should I? When you and James have a real child, well talk.
Just then, Alice appeared in the doorway.
Mum, why did Nan say Im just her goddaughter? Alices voice shook as she blinked back tears. I am her granddaughter!
Emma realised shed heard everything. Margaret flushed.
Alice, go and see your dad, Emma said quietly.
I dont want to! I want to know why Nan doesnt like me!
Alice, I do like Margaret began.
You dont! You said I was your goddaughter. But Im not! Dad James is my dad!
And Alice ran from the room, sobbing. Emma shot a furious look at her mother-in-law and hurried after her.
In the living room, Alice sat hunched on the sofa beside James, choking on tears. He stroked her hair, confused and concerned.
Whats wrong?
Your mum called Alice her goddaughter, Emma said coldly. She didnt even try to hide it.
James turned pale.
Mum, is this true?
Margaret shuffled out, shame-faced.
My boy, I didnt mean It just slipped out.
Nan said I dont belong to her, sobbed Alice. She says Ive got my own nan.
James stood abruptly, his jaw clenched.
How could you, Mum?
Oh, son, I just
After many tears and difficult words, Nan Margaret finally embraced Alice and promised to love her just as a real granddaughter, and from that day forward, Alice never felt alone in that family again.
Second Chances Matter: Little Beatrice Learns the True Value of Belonging in Her New Family
