“About what?”
“This being our last picture.”
Her eyes filled.
“Claire…”
I took out my phone.
“Come here.”
She hesitated.
“Are you
sure?”
I smiled.
“Forty-two years is a long time to throw away without at least trying to understand each other.”
Susan stepped beside me.
I lifted the phone.
“Ready?”
She
laughed through her tears.
“Wait. My hair looks terrible.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Some things never change.”
Then I took the picture.
Six months later, Susan invited me to Emily’s house for Thanksgiving.
I almost declined.
Holidays without Robert were still difficult.
But when Emily called personally, I agreed.
Her home was warm and noisy.
Children ran through the hallway.
Something smelled wonderful in the kitchen.
Susan was helping prepare dinner.
And when she saw me, she smiled.
“Claire!”
I hugged her.
Then Emily introduced me to her children.
“This
is Grandma Susan’s best friend.”
Her daughter tilted her head.
