Chapter 5 - The Safe Harbor
"She was laughing at her!" the mother screamed.
The sound tore out of her throat, raw, jagged, and completely unpolished.
The grandmother slumped sideways.
Her manicured hand flew to her cheek, her eyes wide with absolute, naked shock.
The mother didn't wait to see the red mark form on the older woman's wrinkled skin.
She turned her back to the ruined table, to the spilled wine and the staring guests.
She dropped straight to her knees on the hard mahogany floor.
She reached out, wrapping both of her arms entirely around the small, trembling girl.
She hoisted the child off the ground, pulling her tight against her chest.
The girl's muddy sneakers kicked lightly against the mother’s dark trousers.
Clods of wet dirt fell onto the polished wood.
The mother buried her face in the crook of the child’s neck.
She rocked her back and forth, crushing the wet soil into her own skin.
Her expensive silk blouse was completely ruined, soaked in mud and tears.
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She didn't care.
Her fingers traced the line of her daughter's spine through the damp wool sweater.
