Margaret lingered beside the doorway.
“Ethan, I’m sorry. I knew Vanessa could be demanding. I didn’t know this was happening.”
“Thank you for coming,” he replied.
She squeezed his hand.
“You deserve to feel comfortable in your own home.”
She followed Vanessa outside.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Birthdayparty planning
I hurried over and hugged him.
“Don’t apologize.”
“I should’ve done this sooner.”
“Maybe,” I said. “But you did it today.”
He clung to me.
“I thought you’d be disappointed.”
“I’m sad you felt you had to face this alone. That’s different.”
He brushed the tears from his face.
“Are you hungry?”
I nearly laughed despite my tears.
“A little.”
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He inspected the mostly empty fridge and shook his head.
“Well, there’s pie.”
“Then pie it is.”
We ate apple pie together at the table, sharing two forks. It was nothing like the family visit I had anticipated, yet sitting quietly beside him felt more important than any elaborate meal. At last, I saw him smile. PlanFamily Trips
