Ellie would remain at home with Nora and Tom.
“Sometimes I’m angry at everyone,” I admitted. “But not because you love her.”
“Will you still come over?”
“Of course.”
***
Several weeks later, we were getting ready for a family outing.
“Will you still come over?”
Ellie appeared in the kitchen carrying two pink ribbons.
“Auntie Claire! Two pigtails, please.”
I pulled out a chair.
“Come here, then.”
“Auntie Claire! Two pigtails, please.”
She climbed up and handed me the ribbons.
Nora brought the hairbrush.
“She washed her hair this morning,” she warned.
Ellie groaned.
“Mommy, it’s not that tangled!”
Nora brought the hairbrush.
“It was when I brushed it.”
“That’s because you brushed it wrong.”
Tom called from the hallway.
“Are we leaving today or next Tuesday?”
“Tuesday!” Ellie shouted.
“That’s because you brushed it wrong.”
I laughed and began separating her curls.
