Faithfully, Celia and Stephen Sullivan took Matty to visit Granny Ivy every Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon, along with all the holidays. Seeing the old lady's face light up at the sight of her great-granddaughter brought them great joy. Then Covid-19 struck, shutting down the nursing home to visitors. They tried window visits and face time, but it wasn't the same. Their little girl pressing her face against the window and reaching out for a hug brought them great pain.

What to do? Celia wondered, turning away from the child's anxious eyes. Opening the refrigerator door, she pretended to study the contents. Hiding...again, the mother thought, setting her eyes on the quarter-full milk container. She hid from difficulties all her life, only confronting them when she had to. Well, Stephen would be home soon. Perhaps he would know how to answer Matty's question.

"Mommy?" Matty's questioning voice came from behind her.

"Not now, Matilda," Celia snapped, refusing to face her daughter. "Wait until daddy comes home, then we'll talk about it."

"But, mommy...?" the little girl began.

"I said: Not now."

"I miss Granny Ivy," Matty whispered more to herself than to her mother.

"Please, Matty..." her mother retorted. She desperately hid her tears.

The sound of books being gathered together and returned to the backpack filled the kitchen. Then the bag rasped as it slid along the countertop. With sagging shoulders, Matty headed for the backstairs and her second-floor bedroom. Why wouldn't mommy answer her questions about Granny Ivy? she thought to herself as she climbed the circular staircase.