Margaret Comes Home Slowly
Chapter 16 - Margaret Comes Home Slowly
Margaret moved into an apartment three blocks from Rachel.
She did not assume the role of grandmother automatically.
She asked before visiting.
She listened when Rachel said no.
Some days Rachel wanted every missing year explained.
Other days she wanted Margaret to hold Samuel Rose while she slept.
The hardest conversation concerned the false funeral.
“You watched me grieve you,” Rachel said.
“From far away.”
“And stayed hidden.”
“Yes.”
“Would you make the same choice again?”
Margaret took a long time.
“No. I would seek protection that did not require stealing your reality.”
Rachel appreciated the answer because it did not pretend fear had been wisdom.
Their relationship formed through ordinary repetition.
Grocery trips.
Doctor appointments.
May you like
Forgotten umbrellas.
The kind of life secrets had once prevented.
