I wasn’t surprised. Sarah has always smiled through discomfort and looked the other way. There was a guarded look in Mark’s eyes, like he wasn’t sure if he was welcome, or if he should say something first.
But he didn’t need to. Jason let go of his dad’s hand and sprinted toward Ellie the moment he saw her. “I’m sorry Grandma was mean to you,” he said, stopping short in front of her.
“I told her I didn’t like what she did. You’re like my sister, Ellie. I’ll never be like her.”
Ellie blinked at him, surprised by how direct he was.
Then she smiled, eyes warm, and without saying anything else, she turned and ran back inside the house. “Where’s she going?” I raised an eyebrow at Daniel. Before he could answer, Ellie came running back out, holding the gold gift bag she’d prepared two weeks ago.
She stopped in front of Jason, a little out of breath. “I saved it,” she said, offering it to him. “I just wanted you to have it.”
“You still brought me a gift?” Jason looked at the bag like it was something sacred.
“Of course,” she said. “It’s your birthday.”
The rest of the day unfolded like a dream. We laughed, sang, passed around too many desserts.
Continue reading…
