Spring moved toward summer.
The days became warmer.
Eli started spending more time outside.
He played with children in the neighborhood.
Sometimes he invited a friend over.
Sometimes he went to a classmate's house.
Our apartment became busy in the ordinary way.
There were shoes beside the door.
School papers on the counter.
Colored pencils under the sofa.
I stopped checking my phone every few minutes.
Mom still called.
Dad occasionally visited.
Danielle remained silent.
I didn't know whether she was waiting for me to apologize or simply refusing to admit she had done anything wrong.
I no longer spent much time guessing.
One evening, Eli asked whether we could visit Grandma during the summer.
I told him we could arrange something.
He asked whether Lucy would be there.
I said I didn't know.
He looked disappointed.
Then he asked whether he could call her.
I thought about it.
I didn't want to prevent the children from speaking.
I also didn't want another conversation that turned into an argument between adults.
I told him we could ask Grandma whether Lucy was available for a call.
He smiled.
The following afternoon, Mom arranged it.
Eli spoke to Lucy for several minutes.
I stayed nearby without listening to every word.
They talked about school.
Lucy asked about his game.
He asked whether she still had the red pieces.
She laughed.
I heard that laugh from the kitchen.
It reminded me of the afternoons when they had played together at my parents' house.
When the call ended, Eli came into the kitchen.
"Can we talk again tomorrow?"
I smiled.
"We'll see."
He went back to his room.
I felt happy for him.
That evening, Mom called.
She said the children had enjoyed talking.
I agreed.
Then she mentioned Danielle.
She said my sister still wanted us to resolve the situation.
I asked whether Danielle had changed her position.
Mom said she didn't know.
I told her I wasn't ready to discuss another family gathering.
Mom said she understood.
This time, she didn't pressure me.
I appreciated that.
A few days later, I found Eli looking at the refrigerator.
He was studying the drawings.
He touched the one showing him and Lucy.
Then he looked at the picture of our apartment.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think we'll all be together again someday?"
I stood beside him.
I knew what he meant.
He wasn't asking whether we would all sit at the same table.
He was asking whether he could belong without being reminded that his life was different.
I put my arm around him.
"I hope we can be together in a way that feels good for everyone."
He nodded.
Then he asked whether he could have a snack.
I laughed softly.
"Of course."
He went to the kitchen.
I remained beside the refrigerator.
I couldn't promise him that Danielle would change.
I couldn't promise that my parents would finally stand up to her.
I couldn't promise that every family relationship would survive.
But I could promise something else.
I would not ask him to accept being treated as less important just to keep the family comfortable.
That evening, I made dinner.
Eli helped set the table.
He placed two forks beside the plates.
Then he put a small red game piece near his glass.
I asked him why.
He smiled.
"Just because."
I let it stay there.
Click here to continue reading: PART 17: My Sister Finally Wanted to Talk, but She Still Believed I Was the One Who Needed to Make Things Right
I Kept Bringing My Son to a House Where His Own Aunt Made Him Feel Like He Didn’t Belong
Part 16 of 20
