Me, Ellie, and two stars above us.
"It’s beautiful."
"Grandma? Sometimes I wish our family was bigger."
"Why, sweetheart?"
"All my friends have aunts and uncles and cousins. I love you, but sometimes it’s lonely with just the two of us."
"I know, baby." I pulled her closer. "I wish things were different, too."
"Do you think I'll ever have a big family?"
"I wish things were different, too."
I couldn't bring myself to answer.
I kissed her hair and looked at the pouch.
Could I keep her from her grandfather, with only weeks left? But what if he broke her heart?
Back then, I didn't yet know that he would break mine, too.
They had money. Lawyers.
I decided to meet him first. Alone.
My phone buzzed. Unknown number.
"Hi, this is Meredith. We met at Walmart yesterday."
"What do you want?"
"Please don’t judge us by what Nate told you."
