“Just what?” I interjected, giving her space to explain herself.
She sighed deeply, lowering her camera. “It’s just that…well, some of the other parents were concerned. They thought it might be a bit crowded, and since Lily is the youngest—”
I shook my head, cutting her off. “Susan, if the pool is too crowded, then it shouldn’t be open to any of the children. Singling out Lily isn’t fair.”
I could see the realization dawn in her eyes, and she nodded, albeit reluctantly. “You’re right,” she admitted. “I handled this poorly, and I’m sorry.”
I appreciated her apology but was still upset by the situation. “Lily deserves the same treatment as everyone else,” I said, softening my tone. “I don’t want her to feel like she’s less than anyone.”
Susan looked down at Lily, who was wiping away the last of her tears. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she said. “Of course you can swim. Let’s get you into the pool.”
Lily’s face lit up with a bright smile, the earlier tears quickly forgotten. She hugged me tightly before running off to join her cousins.
I watched her go, feeling a mix of relief and residual frustration. Susan and I still needed to have a more in-depth conversation later, away from prying ears, but for now, I was glad that Lily could enjoy the day like everyone else.
As Susan returned to her photography, she looked over at me with a small, apologetic smile. I nodded in return, a silent acknowledgment that while the issue wasn’t completely resolved, we’d taken the first step toward understanding each other better.