Chapter 9 - THANKSGIVING ONE YEAR LATER
One year later, Thanksgiving happened at Grandma’s rented house in Denver.
Not Patricia’s.
That was intentional.
Patricia was invited.
So was Robert.
So was Denise.
So was Emily.
I almost did not go.
Then I decided I was tired of giving damaged rooms permanent ownership of holidays.
Patricia arrived last.
She looked smaller.
No designer performance.
No hostess role.
She walked toward me.
“Rachel.”
“Hi.”
Her eyes moved to Lily, now almost two.
“May I say hello?”
I appreciated that she asked.
“Not yet.”
Pain crossed her face.
She nodded.
“Okay.”
That mattered.
At dinner, nobody discussed money.
Until Grandma raised her glass.
Everyone tensed.
She smiled.
“I have one announcement.”
Patricia looked terrified.
Grandma said:
“From now on, if anyone tells me another family member does not want to hear from me, I will be extremely rude and call them anyway.”
Emily laughed first.
Then me.
May you like
Even Robert smiled.
It was the healthiest family policy we had created.
