“She understood,” I said.
“She always did,” Mom replied.
“Then why did you stop letting her help?”
“Because I didn’t understand.”
Mom had spent years believing she owed Margaret a debt. She’d hoped this trip would finally make things even.
But friendship wasn’t a debt that needed repayment.
The following weeks brought changes for all of us. I called Ellen, who admitted that caring for Margaret had become too difficult to manage alone. We discussed finding additional support so neither woman would have to sacrifice her health.
Two weeks later, Mom and I drove to visit Margaret together.
This time, I did the driving, and Mom arrived rested, stronger, and following her doctor’s advice.
Margaret sat in a comfortable chair by the window. When she saw me, her face brightened.
“Laura?”
I rushed over and hugged her.
For a moment, I smelled the familiar vanilla perfume I remembered from childhood.
