Chapter 16 - Macy Returned to Room 208
For my seventieth birthday, we returned to the original resort.
Macy requested something unusual.
Room 208.
My old room.
When we arrived, she stood outside the doorway.
“This is where I confronted you.”
“Yes.”
“I was awful.”
“You were wearing terrible floral pajamas too.”
She laughed.
“Those pants deserved consequences.”
Then she became serious.
“I've wanted to tell you something.”
I waited.
“The morning I apologized, I only did it because Daniel forced me.”
I wasn't surprised.
“But later?”
“Later I meant it.”
She looked toward the hallway.
“When I walked away, I was furious at both of you.”
“I suspected.”
“Then I heard Daniel telling you that you had an ocean to meet.”
Her eyes filled.
“And suddenly I realized I'd almost stolen that from you.”
I touched her hand.
“You didn't.”
“I tried.”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
Then I smiled.
“But look where we are.”
We walked toward the beach.
Macy carried nothing except her own towel.
I carried mine.
Daniel carried his.
The grandchildren carried theirs.
Nobody automatically handed anything to Grandma.
Small things.
Huge things.
That afternoon, Macy and I went swimming together.
When we came out, Daniel photographed us laughing.
Seven years earlier, that would have seemed impossible.
May you like
Now it felt natural.
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