“One day my little daughter told me, ‘Mom, every time Grandpa gives me a bath, he asks me to play a game. I have to close my eyes, and while they’re closed, he does something…’ I froze. The next day, I opened the bathroom door without warning… and what I saw made my legs start shakingr told me, ‘Mom, every time Grandpa gives me a bath, he asks me to play a game. I have to close my eyes, and while they’re closed, he does something…’ I froze. The next day, I opened the bathroom door without warning… and what I saw made my legs start shaking - Page 6

little cup,

a water bottle.

While she tried to guess which toy was making the sound, he carefully rinsed the shampoo from her hair.

Every time she guessed correctly, she earned one “star.”

After ten stars, Grandpa took her out for ice cream.

I stood in the doorway, feeling tears fill my eyes.

Dad looked at me.

He understood immediately.

“You were scared, weren’t you?”

I couldn’t lie.

“Yes.”

He was quiet for a moment.

Then he said,

“You did the right thing by checking.”

I looked at him in surprise.

He continued,

“A mother should always make sure her child is safe. I should have explained our game to you sooner.”

Emily opened her eyes.

“Mom, I told you Grandpa wasn’t doing anything bad.”

I walked over and kissed her forehead.

That evening, when Dad was getting ready to leave, he stopped by the door and said quietly,

“By