Chapter 13 - THE FAMILY THAT ALMOST LOST HER
Clara invited her family to the blue-door house.
Her mother.
Her father.
Emma.
Several relatives.
They arrived expecting dinner.
Instead, Clara asked them to sit.
She stood in the living room.
Her hands trembled.
But her voice was steady.
“I need to tell you something.”
Her mother frowned.
“Clara?”
She took a breath.
“For two years, I've been trying to make everyone comfortable with my grief.”
Silence.
She continued.
“I've smiled when I wanted to cry.”
Her eyes filled.
“I've helped with parties when I couldn't get out of bed.”
Emma looked down.
“And I've apologized for missing Daniel.”
Her mother began crying.
Clara shook her head.
“I'm not doing that anymore.”
Silence.
Then she said:
“I love all of you.”
Her voice broke.
“But I need you to love me even when I'm not useful.”
Her father stood.
He crossed the room.
And hugged her.
“Sweetheart.”
His voice trembled.
“We're sorry.”
Clara began crying.
Emma approached.
Then whispered:
“I didn't understand.”
Clara nodded.
“I know.”
May you like
Emma hugged her.
And for the first time in years, Clara let her family see how much she'd been hurting.
