« All the time, » she said. « Why don’t you come stay with us for the week while Jason’s away? Please. It would mean so much to Lily and Noah. »
I pressed a hand to my chest.
« Oh, Melissa, I would love that. Nothing would make me happier. »
If only I’d known what I was truly signing up for.
« Wonderful, » she replied. « So it’s settled. You’ll come. »
There was something strange in her tone.
A sweetness that felt a little too smooth, a little too practiced.
But I brushed the thought away as quickly as it came.
She was just happy, I told myself.
That was all.
« I’ll pack tonight, » I said. « I’ve made jam. And I have gifts for the children. »
« They’ll love that, » she said. « See you soon. »
The line went dead before I could say goodbye, but I hardly noticed.
I was already opening the hall closet, pulling out my old suitcase.
That evening I folded my cardigans carefully and wrapped two small gifts in tissue paper.
A wooden puzzle for Noah.
A book of fairy tales for Lily.
I tucked the jam jars between my sweaters so they wouldn’t break.
I sat on the edge of my bed for a moment and I let myself feel the truth I rarely said aloud.
