Chapter 4 - THE EMPTY CHAIR AT SUNDAY DINNER
Two weeks after the wedding, I saw Clara again.
My mother invited several relatives to Sunday dinner.
Clara arrived carrying a homemade apple pie.
Of course she did.
She helped set the table.
Refilled drinks.
Found extra chairs.
And somehow ended up washing dishes before dessert.
I found her in the kitchen.
“You know you're allowed to sit down.”
She smiled.
“Someone has to clean up.”
I looked around.
“There are fourteen other adults in this house.”
She laughed.
“Apparently none of them know where the dishwasher is.”
I took the towel from her hand.
“Then we'll teach them.”
She stared.
“What?”
I called toward the dining room.
“Everyone! Kitchen duty!”
My uncle groaned.
My mother laughed.
Three cousins wandered in.
Within minutes, the kitchen was crowded with people carrying plates.
Clara stood beside me, looking stunned.
“What did you do?”
I smiled.
“Redistributed labor.”
She laughed.
Then looked down.
“Daniel used to do that.”
I turned.
“What?”
“He hated when everyone let me clean up.”
Her voice softened.
“He'd come into the kitchen and start handing people dishes.”
I smiled.
“Smart man.”
Clara nodded.
“He was.”
For a moment, she looked sad.
May you like
Then she looked at me.
And smiled again.
