Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO WAS TIRED OF BEING STRONG
Clara stopped saying yes to everything.
At first, her family didn't understand.
Her mother asked her to organize a birthday dinner.
Clara said she couldn't.
Emma asked her to help decorate for a holiday party.
Clara declined.
An aunt asked her to drive three hours to pick up a cousin from the airport.
Clara suggested a shuttle service.
The reactions were immediate.
“What's gotten into you?”
“You've changed.”
“You used to be so helpful.”
Clara called me that evening.
“They're upset.”
I smiled.
“Are you surprised?”
She sighed.
“No.”
I asked:
“Do you regret saying no?”
She hesitated.
Then answered:
“No.”
I laughed softly.
“Then maybe you're doing something right.”
She was quiet for a moment.
Then whispered:
“I think I've spent my whole life being useful because I was afraid nobody would love me if I wasn't.”
My chest tightened.
“Clara.”
She swallowed.
“Daniel was the first person who made me feel like I could just exist.”
I looked toward the window.
Then said quietly:
“You deserve that again.”
May you like
She didn't answer.
But I heard her begin to cry.
