Chapter 14
Celeste returned after six months.
Not to live.
To attend my mother’s birthday dinner.
Anna was working elsewhere that evening by choice.
Mia came as guest with her.
Celeste saw them across the garden.
Did not approach.
Good.
Later Anna said:
“She can say hello.”
Her choice.
Celeste walked over slowly.
Mia stared.
Then:
“You bad blue lady.”
Accuracy remains brutal at four.
Celeste swallowed.
“I did something very bad.”
“Mommy hands hurt.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Celeste looked at Anna.
Anna gave nothing.
Good.
Celeste answered herself.
“Because I made your mom work too much and treated her badly.”
Then Mia asked:
“You make Boss blue?”
Everyone nearby became extremely interested in flowers.
Celeste almost smiled despite tears.
“I tried.”
Mia frowned.
“Why?”
Hard question.
Celeste said:
“Because I wanted to control things that weren’t mine.”
Good.
Child-friendly enough.
Mia nodded.
Then ran toward cake.
Meeting over.
Celeste looked at Anna.
“I’m sorry.”
Anna answered:
“I know.”
Not forgiveness.
May you like
Acknowledgment.
Enough.
