“So does Grandma! She has a life, and you’re discussing it like it’s already over!”
Grandma spoke quietly.
“We have responsibilities!”
“Kylie.”
I turned. She was looking straight at me.
“I didn’t ask you to show them that.”
The anger left me.
“Grandma, I wanted them to understand.”
“Those were private, sweetheart.”
“Kylie.”
She folded her napkin.
“I’d like a moment alone.”
Then she walked into the kitchen.
I’d wanted to protect her.
Instead, I’d made her birthday even harder.
***
I found Grandma sitting at the kitchen table.
I’d wanted to protect her.
“Can I come in?” I asked.
She nodded.
I sat beside her.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shown Mom’s message.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
“They were talking about your house while you were sitting there. I couldn’t listen anymore.”
“Can I come in?”
“I heard them, Kylie.”
She looked at me.
“I know you wanted to help, Kylie. But I trusted you.”
“I thought if they saw how much they’d hurt you, they’d finally understand.”
Grandma rested her hand over mine.
“I wanted those visits because I missed my children. I didn’t want them coming because someone embarrassed them and forced their shame.”
“I heard them, Kylie.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“I’m disappointed you didn’t ask first, sweetheart.”
I looked down.
“You were right to stop them. But I need you to let me speak for myself.”
I nodded.
“What would you like me to do?”
“Are you angry with me?”
“Tell them the message wasn’t yours to share. Then I’d like to finish my birthday dinner.”
I squeezed her hand.
“I can do that.”
She smiled faintly.
“And Kylie? Don’t let them make you think you were wrong about the house.”
***
Back in the dining room, Mom stood beside her chair.
I squeezed her hand.
Uncle Colin had pulled Grandma’s wooden box toward him.
“I shouldn’t have read your message,” I told Mom. “Grandma trusted me, and I let her down.”
“You embarrassed me in front of everyone, Kylie.”
“I shouldn’t have shared it. But you sent that message, Mom. Grandma had to read it alone.”
Uncle Colin closed the box.
“Can we get back to discussing the house?”
“I let her down.”
“No. Grandma doesn’t want to discuss it tonight.”
Colin leaned back, clearly annoyed.
Mom stepped closer.
“Why are you making us look like terrible children?”
“Because I’ve watched Grandma wait for your visits for years. I want to understand why you’ve stopped coming.”
Mom looked toward the kitchen.
Colin leaned back.
“The last time I visited, she couldn’t open a jar. I had to help her.”
“What’s wrong with helping her?”
“Nothing. But she used to do everything herself. Watching her struggle frightened me.”
“You think it doesn’t scare me?”
Mom shook her head.
“You don’t understand what it’s like to watch your mother change.”
“I had to help her.”
“You’re right. I’m watching my grandmother change. But I’m still showing up.”
Mom looked away.
“I know.”
“She doesn’t need you to fix everything, Mom. She just needs you there.”
Mom sat down.
“I thought she’d understand why I couldn’t visit.”
“I know.”
“She understood you were busy. She just kept hoping you’d find another afternoon.”
An aunt admitted she’d canceled twice. Another said she’d assumed my visits were enough.
Uncle Colin leaned forward.
“The roof needs work, Kylie. Someone has to think about the costs.”
“Then ask Grandma about repairs. But don’t use them as an excuse to divide her house.”
He said nothing.
“The roof needs work, Kylie.”
“I’m going to ask what she wants.”
I found Grandma in the kitchen with her tea.
“Are they finished arguing?”
