Chapter 19 - THE LAST EASTER TOGETHER
Three years after the original party, Daniel asked me a strange question.
"Mom, would you invite Vanessa?"
I looked at him.
"For Easter?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because she's different."
I thought for a long time.
Then I said, "I'll invite her."
Vanessa arrived at noon.
She carried a homemade pie.
Not expensive.
Not elegant.
Just homemade.
She stood at the door.
"Happy Easter."
"Happy Easter."
We sat together.
There were no gold plates.
No champagne tower.
No forty strangers.
Just family.
Vanessa looked at the table.
"You still make rosemary sauce."
"Every year."
She smiled.
"I was wrong about it."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Only the sauce?"
She laughed.
"No."
For the first time, we both laughed.
Then Daniel raised his glass.
"To second chances."
I raised mine.
"To earned second chances."
Everyone laughed.
And that distinction mattered.
Because forgiveness can be given.
May you like
Trust must be rebuilt.
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