* * *
Sarah rang the doorbell at Michael and Andrea’s house, then let herself in through the unlocked door. It didn’t matter how many times she’d told them to lock their door, it was always open. Every time she brought it up, they’d tell her that Lincoln Park was a very safe Chicago neighborhood.
She stepped into the living room and gazed at the party decorations for Lindsey’s fifth birthday. Deja vu. The same ugly bubble gum pink that had adorned their wedding reception now permeated their house. Happy birthday streamers, pink balloons, and a pile of presents wrapped in the offensive color.
“Hello,” she called out. “Anyone home?”
“We’re in the kitchen, Mom,” Michael said.
Sarah threaded her way down the hall, past Big Wheels--who would allow their child to ride one in the house?--a Barbie mansion, and a host of other discarded toys. The house was like a war zone. The kitchen no better: a stack of dirty dishes in the sink, junk mail littered the countertops. She made a beeline to the kitchen table where Lindsey sat eating a bowl of macaroni and cheese.
“Grammy!” The little girl dropped her spoon and waved her hands.
“Happy birthday, darling girl!” Sarah leaned down and gave her granddaughter a kiss on her forehead to avoid the smear of cheese on her lips.
“I’m five today, Grammy!” Lindsey held up five fingers.
“I know you are. You’re a big girl, aren’t you?”
Lindsey nodded. “Did you bring me a present?”
“That’s not polite. You shouldn’t ask a guest if she’s brought you a gift.”
Andrea turned from the counter where she’d been decorating a cake. “Can’t you cut her some slack? She’s excited about her birthday.”
Sarah dug her fingers into her palms. Andrea was always criticizing everything she said. “It’s never the wrong time to teach children good manners.”
“When it comes to my kid, that’s for me to decide, not you.” Andrea turned back to the cake.
Michael crossed the room and kissed his mother on her cheek. “Hi, Mom. We’re glad you could make it.”
At least her son had some manners. “I wouldn’t miss this day for the world. I can’t believe our little angel is five.”
Andrea turned around, holding the cake platter. “Look at this beautiful cake Mommy made you!”
Lindsey clapped her hands. “All mine!”
“Don’t you want to share your cake with us?” Sarah asked.
“No, Mommy said it was my cake.”
The way Andrea spoiled her daughter was shameful. “Well, it’s your birthday cake, but you have to share it with your party guests. You couldn’t eat a whole cake by yourself anyway. You’d get fat.”
Andrea put the cake on the table. “Sarah, we don’t talk about getting fat in this house. Do you know how much pressure is on girls to be thin?”
“And do you know how many fat kids are out there? They sit at their computers all day, eat junk food, and get diabetes before they’re ten.”
Andrea clenched her hands into fists. “Once again, Sarah, my child, my rules. Five years old is a little young to be lectured about good nutrition.”
“Well, five is a little old to still have her baby fat. You’re not doing her any favors.”
Andi threw up her hands, her eyes blazed. “That’s it, Sarah. You can leave right now. I will not have you poisoning my little girl with your criticism. It’s bad enough you’ve made it clear that I’m not good enough for your son. You’re not going to tear apart my daughter.”
“Hey guys, let’s just calm down,” Michael said. “Let’s not ruin Lindsey’s birthday with a big scene.”
“Too late, Mike. Your mother’s ruined it already. Look at her.” Andrea pointed to her daughter, her face crinkled as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Sarah was horrified. She dropped to her knees in front of her granddaughter. “Darling, don’t cry. Your mommy and Grammy were just talking. We’re not mad at you.”
The girl began to sob.
Sarah grabbed the little girl’s arms and shook them. “Stop it right now, Lindsey! Big girls do not cry.”
Andrea dug her fingers into Sarah’s arms and yanked her onto her feet. “Let go of her! How dare you?”
Sarah spun around and pulled her arms free. “If you would discipline her once in a while, she wouldn’t throw these little tantrums.”
Andrea leaned forward into Sarah’s face. “You come into our house. You criticize her manners, you criticize her weight. It was one thing when she was too little to understand. But now she knows what you’re saying. Don’t you see how hurtful you are?”
Sarah took a step back. “I hardly think what I’m doing is hurtful. I do know how to raise a child. You fell in love with my son, didn’t you?”
“Your son was a wreck before he met me. He had no self-confidence. He just marched along the path you pushed for him. He had to get good grades, had to be a doctor.” Andrea turned to her husband. “Tell her, Mike. Tell her how miserable you were.”
Sarah reached for her son, but he pulled away, crossed his arms. “Mom, I know you tried your best.”
“I gave you everything, Michael. Look where you are because of me.”
“Are you kidding?” Andrea said. “Happiness is not about having an MD after your name and a big paycheck. It’s about love and family. Everything he’s found with me, not you.”
“Michael, just listen---”
“No, Sarah,” Andrea said. “We’re done listening. I’ve put up with your crap for years, but it ends today. If you and Mike want to continue your dysfunctional relationship, that’s between you two. But you are not dragging my daughter into your freak show. You will never see Lindsey again.”
Sarah felt a wave of panic overtake her. “What? You can’t keep me from my granddaughter.”
“Oh, yes I can.” Andrea yanked Mike’s arm and pushed him in front of Sarah. “Get her out of my house right now.”
“Honey, can we just take a deep breath?”
Andrea’s face flamed red. “No, Mike. It’s her or me.”
Sarah saw the hesitation on her son’s face, then he shook his head in resignation. “I’m sorry, Mom. We can’t keep going through this crap.”
Sarah was stunned. How could Michael take Andrea’s side? “Going through what? What have I done?”
Michael put his arm around her and steered her out of the kitchen. When they reached the front door, Sarah placed her hand on his cheek. “I didn’t mean anything, dear. You know that. Andrea’s just upset now. I’m sure after she’s calmed down---”
“No, Mom. This has been coming for a long time. I’m sorry, but Andi means it. I’ll call you. The two of us can have lunch sometime.” He pushed her gently out of the house, and closed the door.
Months went by with no promised phone call. Her son didn’t return any of her calls or emails. When he didn’t acknowledge Mother’s Day, Sarah had enough. She was not going to let them treat her this way. She showed up at their house, unannounced. When she rang the bell, Andrea answered. She took one look, and without a word, slammed the door in Sarah’s face.
Sarah stood on the doorstep, shaking with anger. That bitch! she thought. First she stole my only son and now my granddaughter. Well, she doesn’t know who she’s dealing with.