Chapter 25 - Tilly asks about replacing people

After I returned home, Tilly brought up Clarissa’s first words.
“Even your father can replace you.”
We were eating breakfast.
I put down my coffee.
“Do you think I could replace you?”
She shrugged.
“People get new kids.”
“Families can grow.”
“So?”
“So another person never becomes a replacement for you.”
“What if you marry someone?”
I had not dated.
But eight-year-olds prepare litigation in advance.
“She would not replace your mother.”
“Would she be my mom?”
“Only in whatever way you chose over time. Nobody gets to erase Seraphina.”
Tilly nodded.
Then:
“Clarissa lied.”
May you like
“Yes.”
That was the entire question.