Sunday morning came faster than I expected.
I stood in front of the mirror, deciding what to wear.
I chose a blue blouse and my comfortable black shoes.
I didn't want to dress as if I were attending a special occasion.
I was simply going to have lunch with my son and his family.
Still, I felt nervous.
It had been a while since I had sat at their table without wondering what somebody might ask me to do.
I picked up my purse.
The two apartment keys were on the counter.
I put them inside.
Then I checked the front door.
Everything was locked.
I went downstairs.
Mr. Crenshaw was arranging a display near the entrance.
"Going somewhere, Tressie?"
"Having lunch with my family."
He smiled.
"Tell them I said hello."
"I will."
I walked to my Chevrolet.
The drive to Hugh's house wasn't long.
I knew every turn.
I had driven that road so many times that I could almost do it without thinking.
When I reached the driveway, I noticed the children's toys near the garage.
A small bicycle was lying on its side.
I parked and stepped out.
Before I reached the porch, the front door opened.
Augie came running.
"Grandma!"
I laughed.
"Hello, sweetheart."
He wrapped his arms around my waist.
The other children came behind him.
I hugged each one.
Then Hugh appeared in the doorway.
"Come on in, Mama."
I followed them inside.
The house smelled like something had been cooking for hours.
Marlee was in the kitchen.
She turned when she heard me.
"Hello, Mama."
"Hello."
She wiped her hands on a towel.
"Lunch will be ready soon."
I thanked her.
Hugh took my purse and placed it on a chair.
I looked around.
Everything was familiar.
The same kitchen table.
The same chairs.
The same coffee cups.
It was the place where Marlee had written seven hundred dollars on a napkin.
I remembered sitting there and trying to understand how my own son could agree to an arrangement that left me so little.
I pushed the memory aside.
I wasn't there to argue.
I was there to see my family.
The children began telling me about their week.
Augie showed me a drawing.
One of the others wanted me to see something from school.
I listened to everything.
I asked questions.
I laughed.
For a while, the afternoon felt normal.
Then Marlee brought the food to the table.
We sat down.
Hugh said something about the weather.
I answered.
Marlee talked about the children.
I listened.
Nobody mentioned the garage.
Nobody mentioned the notebook.
Nobody mentioned the printed rules.
I was grateful for that.
After lunch, I helped carry a few plates toward the kitchen.
Marlee reached for one.
"You don't have to do that, Mama."
I looked at her.
"I know. I'm just helping with my plate."
She nodded.
I placed it beside the sink.
Then I returned to the living room.
Augie was sitting on the floor.
He looked up.
"Grandma, when can we come to your apartment again?"
I smiled.
"Maybe next weekend."
He looked excited.
"Can we bring our toys?"
"Of course."
Hugh heard him.
He looked at me.
"That would be nice."
I nodded.
For a moment, I felt hopeful.
Perhaps we could learn to be together differently.
Perhaps I could be a grandmother without becoming the family's automatic childcare arrangement.
Perhaps Hugh could be my son without expecting me to agree with every decision he and Marlee made.
I didn't know.
But I was willing to try.
Before I left, Hugh walked me to the door.
"Thanks for coming, Mama."
"Thank you for inviting me."
He stood there for a moment.
Then he said something quietly.
"I don't want things to stay awkward between us."
I looked at him.
"Neither do I."
He nodded.
I touched his arm.
"We'll work it out."
I drove back to town.
When I reached the hardware store, Mr. Crenshaw was closing the front door.
He waved.
I waved back.
Then I climbed the inside stairs to my apartment.
I took off my shoes.
I put my purse on the chair.
The keys went on the counter.
I looked around at my little kitchen.
I was glad to be home.
And for the first time, I understood that I could miss my family and still be grateful to have a door of my own.
Click here to continue reading: PART 18: When Hugh and Marlee Visited My Apartment Again, I Finally Understood That Saying No Did Not Mean I Had Stopped Loving Them
My Son Offered Me a Place to Live, but the Price He Put on My Independence Was Something I Never Expected
Part 17 of 20
