Monica sucked in her bottom lip. She wasn’t in the mood for Lexi’s antics, not today, of all days.

Lexi raced to an empty table on the far side of the room. Once there, she plopped onto a chair and proceeded to shovel cake into her mouth with her fingers, as if determined to cram it all down her throat before it could be taken away.

Just like her father, Monica thought. She’s always got to have it all, on her terms.

Monica navigated her way to the table, an artificial smile plastered on her face for the benefit of those watching the incident unfold. That fake smile promised everyone she was in control of the situation, but Monica’s throat was tight with apprehension.

She didn’t to make a scene, didn’t want anyone to comment on her parenting skills. Being out in public with Lexi often worked her nerves like that.

Lexi had finished a third of the cake, crumbs flying everywhere, when Monica reached her. Monica snagged the plate and slid it out of her daughter’s grasp.

Lexi shrieked, hitting an eardrum-piercing pitch that could have shattered glass. Half the heads in the room swiveled in their direction.

Has this child lost her ever-lovin mind? Good Lord.

Her face hot, Monica said in a tight voice: “Lexi, baby, quiet down, right now.”

“I want my chocolate cake, Mommy.” Tears were starting to flow.

“You know that you’re supposed to ask for what you want,” Monica said. She tried to keep a level tone. “You don’t just take it.”

“Give me my chocolate cake, Mommy!” Lexi climbed out of the chair and wrapped her arms around Monica’s legs, beseeching her like a beggar in the street pleading for alms.

Blood pounded in Monica’s head. She’d had enough. She was going to put the cake on the table and walk away, let Lexi have it just to calm her down. It wasn’t worth all this trouble, not then, not there.

That’s what your daughter is counting on, a voice in the back in her mind advised. Your weakness. That’s why she behaves like this with you, and only you. You always let her have her way.

Monica felt a soft touch at the small of her back, and caught a current of Grace’s rosemary fragrance.

“What’s the matter, darling?” Grace said in a voice like easy-flowing honey. She knelt so that she and Lexi were eye to eye.

Lexi stared at Grace, tears glistening on her cheeks.

“I want chocolate cake,” Lexi said, but in a softer tone.

“Oh, Nana knows that,” Grace said. She ran her slender fingers through Lexi’s braids. “You’re such a beautiful girl, and you want your chocolate cake, hmmm? I understand. But Nana has something much better than chocolate cake.”