Chapter 13 - The Candle at Christmas
By Christmas, the house in Richmond looked different.
Catherine’s photograph was back on a small shelf in the dining room.
Not because Harold demanded it.
Because Toby asked where Grandma went when the guests were gone.
Sandra had no good answer.
So she put the picture back and left it there.
Harold came to Christmas dinner carrying nothing but a pie and his overnight bag.
Sandra served him first.
Not performatively.
Quietly.
Harold noticed the place setting near Catherine’s photograph and said nothing for a full minute.
Then he sat.
Halfway through dinner, Toby announced that the school counselor had explained the first scholarship in Catherine’s name would be awarded the following spring.
“Grandma’s gonna help kids I don’t even know,” he said proudly.
Harold smiled.
“That sounds like her.”
After dessert, Sandra surprised everyone.
“I owe you an apology that has nothing to do with that first night.”
Harold looked up.
Sandra clasped her hands.
“I treated you like someone who made me look small. The truth is I already felt small. I used you to hide it.”
Harold nodded once.
“Thank you for saying it plainly.”
He did not say all was forgiven.
He did not need to.
Some apologies are respected before they are believed.
Later that evening, after Toby fell asleep on the couch, Benjamin found Harold standing in front of Catherine’s photograph.
“Mom would have liked tonight,” Benjamin said.
Harold touched the frame lightly.
“Maybe.”
Then he added, “She’d still say you talk too much before you act.”
May you like
Benjamin laughed.
It was the first time the joke didn’t hurt.
