Jacqueline’s lips tightened a little. “Well, I’m her grandma, and my granddaughter deserves the best!”
“Of course.” I forced a smile. “Do you want to come inside? The party’s about to start.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” she said, her voice all sweet as she followed me inside.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked, trying to be nice.
“Just watching my granddaughter enjoy her present is enough,” she said, patting my arm in a way that made me feel uncomfortable.
I should have known it wouldn’t last.
Five days later, I was folding clothes when I heard the sound of tires on our gravel driveway. Through the living room window, I saw Jacqueline’s silver car pull up.
Jean was already running to the door. “Grandma’s here!”
I smoothed my hair and put on a smile. “What a nice surprise,” I said as I opened the door.
Jacqueline didn’t even look at me. Her eyes were on the bicycle leaning against the porch wall.
“Jean, honey,” she said, her voice all sugary, “would you be a good girl and get Grandma a glass of water? I’m thirsty from the drive.”
“Okay!” Jean chirped and ran inside.
As soon as the front door closed, Jacqueline lunged for the bicycle.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice rising as she struggled with the kickstand.
“I need to take this back,” she said, not looking at me.
My mouth dropped open. “That’s Jean’s birthday present.”
“Not anymore,” she replied and wheeled it toward her car.
The door opened. “Here’s your water, Grandma,” Jean called out and then froze, the glass shaking in her little hand. “Grandma? Why are you taking my bike?”
Jacqueline’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she knelt down. “Oh, sweetie, I just need to borrow it for a little while.”
“But…” Jean’s bottom lip started to quiver, and her eyes filled with tears. “It’s mine. You gave it to me.”
I stepped forward, my anger rising. “Jacqueline, what on earth are you doing?”
She stood up, dropping the fake smile. “Teresa, I need to take the bicycle back. I guess Jean and you don’t deserve it.”
My hands clenched into fists. “Are you serious? Why?”
She let out a big sigh and tossed her perfectly styled hair. “Mia saw it at the party, and now she won’t stop crying because she wants the same one. Kate said I have to get her one.”
Ah, Mia. My niece and, clearly, the favorite grandchild. She was seven and already as spoiled as her mother.
“Then… buy her one?” I suggested.
Jacqueline’s smile didn’t change. “Oh, I would, but I don’t have enough money right now.”
I raised an eyebrow. This from the woman who just got back from a cruise last month.
“Kate said she’d take me on vacation with her family next week,” Jacqueline continued, looking at her nails. “But only if I get Mia the same bike.”
The pieces started to fit together. I stared at her, unable to believe what I was hearing.
“Wait, so your answer is to take back the bike from your own granddaughter? Jean has been so happy with it. She rides it every day, and now you’re just going to take it away because you want to go on vacation with Kate’s family?” I was seething, my face flushed with anger.
