Chapter 9 - Asking Instead of Taking
"Leave it exactly where it is."
Virginia nodded solemnly.
"Understood."
Then we both laughed.
It was awkward.
But genuine.
Over the next several days, she began doing something I'd never seen her do.
She asked.
Could she use my baking dish?
Would I mind if she washed the towels?
Did I want help with dinner?
Tiny questions.
Huge difference.
One evening, we cooked together.
Virginia made the apple pie.
I watched her add cinnamon.
A lot of cinnamon.
"Trying to prove something?"
"Absolutely."
Walter tasted it after dinner.
He frowned thoughtfully.
"Could use less spice."
I laughed so hard I nearly spilled my water.
Virginia pointed her fork at him.
"Careful."
But she was laughing too.
Justin watched us from across the table.
Later, in our bedroom, he said, "I didn't think this was possible."
"What?"
"You and my mom laughing."
"Don't get ambitious."
He smiled.
Then I became serious.
"You know this isn't only about her."
"I know."
"You can't disappear next time."
"I won't."
"Don't promise because tonight went well."
"I'm not."
He took my hand.
"I'm promising because I finally understand what disappearing costs you."
That was what I'd needed from him.
Not victory.
Partnership.
Friday morning arrived.
Suitcases appeared beside the door again.
But this departure felt completely different.
Virginia hugged me.
Then whispered, "I'm sorry."
No explanation.
No qualification.
I hugged her back.
"I know."
She stepped away.
"I'll do better."
"That's all I'm asking."
They left.
The apartment became wonderfully quiet.
For about six hours.
Then Justin's phone rang.
His expression changed as he listened.
When he hung up, he looked at me.
"Mom left something here."
I sighed.
"What?"
He held up an envelope we'd somehow missed on the kitchen counter.
My name was written across the front.
Inside was a letter.
May you like
And what Virginia had written would force me to reconsider something I thought I understood about her completely.
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