Then, one afternoon, as Lily was practicing her riding skills, my mother-in-law, Susan, called and asked if she could come over to discuss something important. Her voice sounded tense, which was unusual for her, given her typically cheerful demeanor. I agreed, albeit with a bit of trepidation.
When she arrived, Susan sat us down in the living room and, after some small talk, broached the subject of the bicycle. “I’ve been doing some thinking,” she started, her voice cautious yet firm, “and I believe it would be best to take back the bicycle.”
