Chapter 23 - Diane meets Iris again
Diane did not see Iris for almost three months.
Partly my choice.
Partly because every conversation became money.
Eventually she asked:
“Can I visit without discussing Rachel?”
I said yes.
She came carrying one small stuffed rabbit.
No giant gift pile.
She washed her hands.
Sat.
I held Iris.
Mom asked:
“Can I hold her?”
The question mattered.
Not:
Give me my granddaughter.
Can I?
“Yes.”
I placed Iris in her arms.
Diane cried almost immediately.
“She looks like you.”
“She looks like a potato.”
Mom laughed.
Then cried harder.
For twenty minutes, no Rachel.
No money.
No family fairness.
Just baby.
Before leaving, Diane said:
“I should have asked how you were.”
“Yes.”
“I was scared when Ben said you hemorrhaged.”
“Then why didn’t you call?”
She looked ashamed.
“Because Rachel called me about money while you were in surgery.”
I stared.
“And I let the familiar emergency become easier to handle than the frightening one.”
There.
That sentence I believed.
Rachel’s problems were solvable.
Transfer money.
Make calls.
My medical emergency made Mom powerless.
So she moved toward the need where she knew her role.
Explanation.
May you like
Not excuse.
Still useful.
