My 5-Year-Old Granddaughter Called Me Saying Her Mom Was ‘Pretending She’s Not Scared’ — I Rushed over and Was Left Speechless
When my granddaughter Lila, usually full of energy, called me whispering, “Mommy’s pretending not to be scared,” I rushed over, fearing the worst. Lila, just five, had never called me alone. Her soft, worried voice sent me into a panic.
Emma, my daughter, had been through a lot—losing her husband two years ago—and lately, something seemed off. When I couldn’t reach her, I drove like a maniac to their house, running red lights and praying she was okay.
Upon arriving, I found the house dark, the door unlocked. Inside, the tension was thick, and I heard water running from the bathroom. I rushed to open the door—and froze. Emma, holding a mop like a weapon, was bent over the toilet. Lila stood frozen in the corner, wide-eyed.
“Spiders,” Emma muttered. “Tangerine-sized.”
I nearly collapsed from relief and frustration. Lila, worried about her mom, had called me. Emma had been trying to keep it together for her sake, but Lila had caught on. We laughed, tension easing as we ate popcorn and shared stories. Later, as I tucked Lila in, she whispered, “Next time, I’ll call before the spiders show up.”
Sometimes, love looks like running to the rescue—or sharing snacks in the kitchen at night.
