“She named her Lily.”
I looked at the kitten.
The tiny animal curled into my husband’s arms, completely unaware of the tension in the room.
“When my wife was sick, she asked me for one thing,” he said. “She asked me to make sure our family never forgot kindness.”
I listened carefully.
But I was still angry.
“So why the lie?”
My father-in-law looked ashamed.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
He looked at my husband.
“Afraid that after my wife died, this family would lose the last piece of her.”
My husband finally spoke.
“Mom loved this cat. After she passed away, Dad couldn’t let go.”
I crossed my arms.
“Then why didn’t you just tell me?”
My husband’s eyes filled with regret.
“Because Dad thought you would refuse.”
“And you agreed with him?”
He looked down.
That was my answer.
