Chapter 26 - TEA AGAINEighteen months after Chloe grabbed my wrist, she asked:
“Can we have tea?”
I stared at her.
She was ten now.
Tall.
Missing one baby tooth far later than her friends, which she considered a personal betrayal.
“What kind?”
“Tea tea.”
“That explains nothing.”
“The one Grandma used.”
My chest tightened.
Chloe saw.
“I mean Earl Grey.”
“Oh.”
“You thought I meant powder?”
“Yes.”
She considered.
“Can we make it together?”
That was how we started.
Kettle.
Water.
Tea bags.
Milk.
Sugar for Chloe.
None for me.
She watched every step.
Then she handed me my cup.
“Here.”
I took it.
Smelled bergamot.
No bitterness.
Still, my body resisted.
Chloe said:
“You don’t have to.”
That nearly made me cry.
Eleanor had removed choice.
Chloe gave it back.
I took one sip.
Then another.
Tea.
Only tea.
Chloe smiled.
“It’s kind of gross.”
“Correct.”
“Why do adults drink this?”
“Poor judgment.”
May you like
She laughed.
And something in the room loosened.
