“Honestly,” I continued, “it feels like you’re trying to exclude her, and I can’t understand why.”
A few parents started murmuring, awkwardly shifting their attention between us and the pool, where children continued to splash around, blissfully unaware of the adult drama unfolding nearby.
Susan’s smile faltered, and I saw a brief flash of vulnerability. “I didn’t mean to make her feel left out,” she said softly. “I just—”
