What reason does August give Lily for not telling her sooner about her mother?

• A. She planned to tell her later anyway
• B. She forgot Lily's birthday
• C. She didn't think Lily was ready to know
• D. She thought Lily was too young to care

Answer: (C)

The important idea here is emotional readiness and protection in how adults handle painful family truths. August explains that she didn’t tell Lily sooner because she didn’t think Lily was ready to know. This shows August putting Lily’s well-being first, choosing to share difficult information only when Lily can truly grasp and bear it. It isn’t about forgetfulness, scheduling, or Lily’s level of interest; it’s about timing and trust—waiting for Lily to be old enough and emotionally able to handle the weight of the truth about her mother. This moment highlights August’s caring, protective role and underscores a theme in the book: some truths come with a responsibility to be ready to receive them.