15 Little Jealousies, Maternal Wisdom
Elara took Cora’s hand firmly in hers. The little girl tried to pull away, but Elara held fast.
“We need to talk privately,” she said, steering her daughter away from curious onlookers.
Cora’s face remained flushed with anger as Elara guided her to a bench beneath a large oak tree. The spot offered just enough privacy for their conversation.
“Let me go!” Cora demanded, tugging against her mother’s grip.
Elara crouched down to meet her daughter’s eyes. “I want you to listen carefully, Cora. What you did to Lily was wrong.”
“She’s stupid and ugly,” Cora muttered, looking down at her shoes.
“No, she isn’t,” Elara kept her voice gentle but firm. “Lily is a sweet little girl who did nothing wrong”
Cora’s bottom lip trembled. “You like her more than me.”
The accusation struck Elara’s heart. She hadn’t realized how deeply Cora’s insecurities
ran.
“That’s not true, darling. I was simply being kind to her.”
“You called her beautiful,” Cora shot back. “You never say that to me anymore.”
Elara felt a pang of guilt. Had she been so consumed with her own pain that she’d neglected to affirm her daughter?
“Cora, you are my daughter. I love you more than anyone in this world.” She took a deep breath. “Being kind to Lily doesn’t mean I love you any less.”
Tears spilled down Cora’s cheeks. “I don’t want you to be her mom.”
“I’m not her mom,” Elara said softly. “I’m yours. Always yours.”
Cora sniffled. “But you’re never there. And when you are, you’re nice to everyone else.”
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Elara felt her own eyes welling up. She pulled Cora into a hug, relieved when her daughter didn’t resist.
“I’m sorry I’ve been away so much,” she whispered into Cora’s hair. “But that doesn’t give you permission to be cruel to others.”
After a moment, Elara gently pulled back. “Let’s find Lily so you can apologize.”
“No!” Cora protested immediately. “I don’t want to!”
Elara remained firm. “When we hurt someone, we make it right. That’s what responsible people do.”
Cora crossed her arms. “Aunt Vivi says never apologize unless you have to.”
The comment made Elara’s jaw clench. Vivienne’s influence was evident in every defiant word.
“Well, in this case, you absolutely have to,” Elara stated. “Come on.”
They found Lily and her mother near the entrance to the first–grade hallway. The little girl was no longer crying, but her eyes were red–rimmed and wary as she spotted
Cora.
Mrs. Hayes gave Elara a cool nod. “Mrs. Thorne.”
“Mrs. Hayes, I want to apologize for what happened, Elara said sincerely. “Cora has something she’d like to say to Lily.”
Elara gave her daughter a gentle nudge. Cora stood with her arms still crossed, looking anywhere but at Lily.
“Cora,” Elara prompted quietly.
“Sorry,” Cora mumbled almost inaudibly.
“Lily can’t hear you when you speak to your shoes,” Elara pointed out.
Cora raised her head slightly. “I said I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Elara pressed.
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Cora sighed dramatically. “For pushing you and saying mean things.”
Lily looked unsure, hiding partially behind her mother’s leg.
“Lily,” Mrs. Hayes said gently, “what do we say when someone apologizes?”
“It’s okay,” Lily replied in a small voice.
Mrs. Hayes checked her watch. “We should get going or you’ll be late for Ms. Ashton’s
class.”
“Actually,” Elara said, “would you mind if I spoke with both girls for just a moment?
School doesn’t start for another ten minutes.”
Mrs. Hayes hesitated but nodded. “Alright. I’ll wait by the classroom.”
When they were alone, Elara sat on a nearby bench and patted the spaces beside her. Reluctantly, both girls sat down, Lily keeping Elara between her and Cora.
“Cora,” Elara began, “do you know why your words hurt Lily’s feelings?”
Cora shrugged. “Because I said she was ugly.”
“That’s right. Words like that are very hurtful.” Elara turned to include Lily in the conversation. “Lily, do you like wearing pink?”
The little girl nodded, tugging at her dress. “It’s my favorite color.”
“And Cora,” Elara continued, “what’s your favorite color?”
“Black,” Cora answered without hesitation, “like Aunt Vivi wears.”
Elara nodded. “That’s perfect. You see, we all like different things. Lily loves pink, and you prefer black. Neither one is wrong.”
Cora frowned, considering this. “But black is cooler.“”
“That’s your opinion,” Elara explained patiently. “Opinions are personal thoughts, not facts. It’s wonderful that you like black, but it doesn’t make pink any less special for Lily.”
She watched understanding slowly dawn on Cora’s face.
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“When you tell someone they look ugly or disgusting for liking something different, it’s not just unkind–it’s incorrect. Beauty comes in many forms.”
Lily was listening intently too, seeming to gain confidence from Elara’s words.
“Also,” Elara added, looking directly at her daughter, “being mean to someone doesn’t make me love you more. In fact, seeing you be kind makes me prouder than anything
else.”
Cora’s eyes widened slightly.
“Do you think you could try again with your apology?” Elara suggested gently. “A real
one this time.”
Cora bit her lip. After a moment, she turned toward Lily.
“I’m sorry I pushed you and said those things,” she said, her voice clearer now. “Your dress is… it’s not ugly.”
Coming from Cora, it was practically a compliment. Elara gave her an encouraging
smile.
“Thank you,” Lily replied softly.
“Would you like to walk to class together?” Elara suggested.
To her surprise, both girls nodded. As they stood up, Cora even moved to Lily’s side rather than staying glued to Elara.
They walked to the first–grade hallway where Mrs. Hayes was waiting.
“Everything okay?” she asked, studying the girls‘ calmer faces.
“Much better,” Elara confirmed. “Thank you for your patience.”
Mrs. Hayes smiled tentatively. “Come on, Lily. Let’s find Ms. Ashton.”
Elara watched them go, then turned to her own daughter. “I’m proud of you for apologizing properly.”
Cora shrugged, but Elara caught the small smile tugging at her lips.
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“I still wish you were home more,” Cora admitted quietly.
“I wish that too,” Elara said honestly. “I’m going to try harder to be present when I am home. But Cora, you need to understand that being unkind to others will never bring
us closer.”
The school bell rang, signaling that classes would start soon. Children hurried past them into their respective rooms.
Cora shifted her weight from foot to foot. “I didn’t mean it when I said I hate you.”
“I know,” Elara replied, feeling a weight lift from her chest.
“And I don’t really want Aunt Vivi to be my mom,” Cora added in a whisper.
Elara pulled her daughter into another hug, tighter this time. “I’m glad to hear that, because I wouldn’t trade being your mom for anything in the world.”
When they separated, Elara noticed tears threatening to spill from her daughter’s eyes again, but these seemed different from before.
“Remember what we talked about today,” Elara said, straightening Cora’s backpack straps. “Being kind doesn’t cost us anything, but it gives others everything”
Cora nodded, suddenly appearing younger and more vulnerable than she had in
months.
“Can we… can we maybe do something together when I get back from Aunt Vivi’s?” she asked hesitantly.
“Absolutely,” Elara promised, her heart swelling. “Just you and me.”
The second bell rang, and Elara knew they couldn’t delay any longer. She gave Cora a gentle push toward her classroom.
“It’s over now,” she said softly, crouching down to her daughter’s level. “Head into your classroom, okay?”
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