Chapter 1 - The Little Girl Outside the Picture
The silver paper star made a small, terrible sound when Vanessa ripped it from Nia's dress.
Eight-year-old Nia stared at the two pieces dangling between her stepmother's fingers.
She had spent nearly an hour making that star. In careful purple letters, she had written, "NIA — GRANDMA'S GIRL."
Inside the living room, people were laughing. Music played softly beneath the clinking of glasses. The house smelled like roasted chicken, fresh flowers, and the lemon cake Marcus had ordered for his mother's seventieth birthday.
But Nia was standing in the hallway, being told she wasn't welcome.
"Please don't tear it," she whispered.
Vanessa dropped the pieces into her small hands.
"Then you should have listened the first time."
Nia clutched the wrapped box beneath her other arm. She had covered it in blue paper herself, decorating the corners with crooked little hearts.
"Daddy said I could come downstairs."
Vanessa glanced toward the living room.
"Your father says a lot of things because he doesn't understand how these events work."
"But it's Grandma's birthday."
"And your grandmother has plenty of people here to celebrate with her."
Nia swallowed.
"She's my grandma too."
Something hardened in Vanessa's expression.
She reached for the gift.
Nia instinctively pulled away.
"Give me that."
"It's for Grandma."
"I know who it's for."
Vanessa snatched the box and placed it on the hallway table.
Nia's eyes filled.
"Why don't you want me in there?"
Vanessa crouched until their faces were inches apart.
"Because tonight is supposed to be perfect. Do you understand that? Your father and I have worked very hard to build a beautiful life together."
Nia shook her head.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"And every time you walk into a room, people start remembering his old family. His first wife. Everything that came before me."
Nia's lips trembled.
"I'm his family too."
Vanessa's smile vanished.
"You're ruining the picture, Nia."
"What picture?"
The voice behind them was so cold that Vanessa went completely still.
Marcus stood at the end of the hallway.
He had come through the kitchen carrying an extra bag of ice. Now the bag rested forgotten against his leg.
Vanessa straightened.
"Marcus, honey. I was just explaining—"
"I heard what you were explaining."
"It's not what it sounds like."
Marcus looked at his daughter.
Nia quickly lowered her eyes, as though she expected to be scolded for causing trouble.
That movement hurt him more than Vanessa's words.
He set the ice on the floor and knelt.
"Baby girl, let me see your hands."
Nia opened her fingers.
Two torn silver pieces lay against her palms.
Marcus recognized the star. He had watched her draw its outline that morning.
He picked up both halves.
"Did you want to come to Grandma's party?"
Nia nodded.
"Then why were you standing out here?"
She looked at Vanessa before answering.
"I didn't want to make anybody upset."
Marcus closed his eyes briefly.
Then he retrieved the blue package from the table and placed it back in his daughter's arms.
"Come on, sweetheart."
He took her hand.
Vanessa stepped into their path.
"Marcus, you're making a scene."
"No," he said. "You made one. I just happened to hear it."
He led Nia into the living room.
His mother, Evelyn, turned immediately.
"There's my birthday girl!"
Nia gave a tiny, uncertain smile.
Evelyn opened her arms, and Nia hurried into them.
Marcus watched his daughter bury her face against her grandmother's shoulder.
Then he turned around.
Vanessa was standing in the doorway, her face flushed with anger.
"Marcus," she whispered sharply. "Don't embarrass me in front of everyone."
He walked past her and opened the front door.
The room fell silent.
"If anyone doesn't belong in this house tonight," he said, "it isn't my daughter."
Vanessa stared at him.
"You cannot be serious."
"Go stay with your sister tonight. We'll talk tomorrow."
"You are throwing your wife out over a piece of paper?"
Marcus held up the torn star.
"No. I'm asking you to leave because you made my child believe she was something to hide."
Vanessa looked around for support.
No one spoke.
Finally, she snatched her purse and walked outside.
Marcus closed the door.
He expected relief.
Instead, he turned to find Nia watching him with frightened eyes.
Later, when the guests were gone and the birthday candles had burned down, Nia approached him in the kitchen.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, baby?"
She twisted the hem of her dress.
"Would you have come looking for me if you hadn't heard her?"
May you like
Marcus opened his mouth.
But for the first time that night, he had no answer.
