Chapter 8 — Ava Gives Robert the Card Anyway
Robert’s birthday arrived three days later.
He expected Ava might keep the card she had been making.
He would have understood.
Instead, she handed him a white envelope after dinner.
“Happy birthday.”
Robert opened it.
The front still had pink hearts.
Inside:
GRANDPA ROBERT IS THE BEST AT FIXING THINGS.
But Ava had added another sentence underneath.
BUT HE NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH FASTER.
Rachel burst out laughing.
Helen nearly dropped her coffee.
Robert stared at the card.
Then started laughing too.
“Fair.”
Ava climbed onto the chair beside him.
“Are you still the best at fixing things?”
Robert looked toward her.
“Some things.”
“Pictures?”
“Apparently Nina is better.”
Ava smiled.
Then Robert became serious.
“Can I ask you something?”
She nodded.
“When I blamed you, did you think everyone would believe me?”
Ava looked down.
“At first.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re Grandpa.”
That answer hurt.
Robert had authority in Ava’s world.
Not official authority.
Something stronger.
Trust.
If Grandpa said something happened…
adults might believe Grandpa first.
Robert had used that without thinking about what it meant.
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
Ava nodded.
Then:
“Next time check camera.”
Rachel smiled.
“Excellent family policy.”