Chapter 15 - Eleanor Attends Margaret’s Birthday
Eleanor came to the birthday too.
Her first major Hartwell family event in decades.
The room quieted when she entered.
Margaret stood.
For one moment, the two elderly women looked like the young friends they
once were.
Then Margaret crossed the room.
“I’m angry with you.”
Eleanor nodded.
“I know.”
“I missed you.”
“I know.”
Margaret hugged her.
It was not forgiveness for everything.
It was grief finally allowed to have a body.
Clara watched from Table Seven.
Vanessa sat beside her.
“Are you okay?”
Clara nodded.
“Ask me again in twenty minutes.”
Vanessa smiled.
“Deal.”
The sisters had not become inseparable.
They had become honest.
That was better than forced closeness.
Later, Eleanor raised a glass to Diane.
Not herself.
“To the woman who stayed.”
Clara cried.
May you like
So did Margaret.
Vanessa squeezed Clara’s hand only after Clara reached for hers first.
