“And after that?”

“If she believed you were good for Emmett and good to Margot, she would probably have become your fiercest defender.”

“Do you think she would have thought I was good enough?”

I considered it.

“Today might have hurt your chances.”

Claire lowered her eyes.

“But Phoebe believed people could become better than their worst moment.”

Claire looked toward Margot.

“She’s amazing.”

“Yes.”

“Tell me more about her.”

So I did.

When the reception ended, Margot found me near the exit carrying her shoes in both hands.

“You gave a speech.”

“I did.”

“About me.”

“Partly.”

She considered that.

“Did it make Claire feel bad?”

I thought before answering.

“I think it helped her understand something.”

Margot nodded.

Then she asked,

“Grandpa?”

“Yes, peanut?”

“Am I the most important girl in your life?”

I crouched down until we were eye to eye.

My knees complained.

I ignored them.

“You are the most important person in my life. No conditions. No exceptions.”

“Even more than Grandma?”

“Your grandma would want it to be you.”

“Even more than Mom?”

“Your mom would want it to be you too. That’s what mothers do.”

She thought about it.

“Okay.”

Then she held out her hand.

“Can we walk to the car?”

“Of course.”

“My shoes make a good sound in parking lots.”

“Give them to me. You walk.”