Chapter 18 - The Roses
On the third anniversary of the nursery incident, Evelyn found Lily standing inside the flower shop before opening.
She was arranging pink roses.
The same kind Evelyn had dropped that afternoon.
"You chose those?"
Lily nodded.
"For an order?"
"No."
She wrapped them carefully.
"For me."
They drove together to Lily's house.
Sophie ran toward them.
Three years old now.
Blonde curls bouncing.
She grabbed the bouquet.
"Mine?"
Lily laughed.
"Apparently."
They put the flowers in a vase on the kitchen table.
Sunlight filled the room.
Lily watched Sophie smell one and wrinkle her nose.
For years, roses had reminded Evelyn of the worst moment of her life.
Now they were simply roses again.
That evening Lily showed Evelyn something.
A framed photograph.
It had been taken at Sophie's birthday.
Three generations.
Evelyn.
Lily.
Sophie.
Nobody else.
"Where should I put it?"
Evelyn pointed toward the living room.
"Somewhere you see it every day."
Lily placed it beside the window.
May you like
Then she said something Evelyn would remember forever.
"This finally feels like my life."
