Carmen, Derek, me, our house, the workshop land and Granddad’s drawing. He admitted silence had kept them from learning whether they’d changed, and offered a place at our table without demanding forgiveness. Mom kissed his cheek after reading it. PlanGardens
“That will do.”
He mailed the letter. Life continued around permits, roof repairs, customer invoices, Sunday dinners, medical visits, Mom’s sewing group and Derek and Veronica’s new rental. I stopped automatic $4,000 payments and asked what my parents really needed. With their house paid for, small expenses and Dad’s occasional design income, they needed much less than I’d sent; most had accumulated until Derek redirected it.
“What do you want instead?” I asked her.
“Dinner.”
“What?”
“Come home for dinner more.”
Visits took more effort than transfers. I drove to Carmona weekly when possible, learning Dad liked weaker coffee, Mom sold embroidered runners online, Derek whistled when anxious and
