“Can I do it when I’m six?” Mandy asked, not letting go of the idea of being on television.

“No,” Emily said firmly.

“Can I do it when I’m seven?”

“No.”

“Ten?”

“Maybe.” Emily hoped the whole discussion would be forgotten after that many years. She never wanted her child on a so-called talent show which was probably rigged anyway.

Luckily, Mandy was distracted by her friend, and the two ...