It was 97 degrees, windows cracked, sun glaring off the dashboard. I turned down the music and asked if she wanted water. Nothing.<\/p>\n
My daughter just stared out the window, sweat dotting her upper lip, mouth slightly open. Then she whispered, \u201cThe lady in the tree told me not to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n
I glanced in the rearview mirror. \u201cWhat lady, baby?\u201d<\/p>\n
She blinked slow. \u201cThe one behind the glass.\u201d<\/p>\n
I turned fully in my seat. \u201cWhat glass?\u201d<\/p>\n
The one in your bathroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
My heart hiccuped. We\u2019d left the house less than an hour ago. She\u2019d been quietly coloring while I packed her bag. The only mirror in the bathroom is above the sink\u2014across from the window that faces the woods.<\/p>\n
She tugged at her dress, twisting it in knots. \u201cShe said you\u2019re not Mommy anymore. She said you\u2019re only wearing her.\u201d<\/p>\n
I laughed. Too loud. Tried to play it off like a game. \u201cDid you make her up, silly goose?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It was 97 degrees, windows cracked, sun glaring off the dashboard. I turned down the music and asked if she wanted water. Nothing. My daughter just stared out the window, sweat dotting her upper lip, mouth slightly open. Then she whispered, \u201cThe lady in the tree told me not to go home.\u201d I glanced in…<\/p>\n