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A Child Who Didn’t Run Toward the Pool
Lily, my four-year-old granddaughter, did not rush toward the water the way her older brother did. Instead, she climbed out of the car slowly and sat on the edge of the terrace. She picked at the hem of her dress, her shoulders drooping. She avoided eye contact and stayed separate from the excitement unfolding around her.
That small detail tugged at my heart.
I walked over with her swimsuit, crouching down to her level so I wouldn’t tower over her.
“Sweetheart,” I said gently, keeping my voice light, “would you like to go change? The water feels really nice today.”
She shook her head without looking up. Her voice was barely a whisper. “My tummy hurts.”
I reached out to smooth her hair, a gesture she normally welcomed. This time, she flinched.
That reaction stopped me cold. Lily was usually affectionate, full of hugs and laughter. This was not her. Something was wrong.
A Cold Interruption
Before I could ask anything else, my son’s voice cut through the moment.
