Chapter 31
CHAPTER 31: THE AUNT
Oliver’s elementary school hosted a "Family Heritage Day."
Emma was setting up a small trifold board about her grandparents' immigration from Italy. Oliver was carefully taping pictures of pasta to the cardboard.
The gymnasium doors opened.
Vanessa walked in.
She didn't sweep into the room demanding attention. She wasn't wearing an imposing designer suit. She wore a simple cardigan and jeans.
She spotted them and walked over, looking incredibly nervous.
"I know I didn't RSVP," Vanessa said quietly to Emma. "But I brought something for Oliver’s board, if that’s okay."
Emma looked at her sister-in-law.
Vanessa handed Oliver a small, faded photograph. It was a picture of Michael and Vanessa as children, sitting in the mud, laughing, completely filthy.
"That’s your dad and me," Vanessa told Oliver. "Before we learned how to be serious all the time."
Oliver looked at the picture, fascinated. "Daddy in the mud?"
"Covered in it," Vanessa smiled.
Emma looked at the photograph. It was proof that the Sterling children hadn't always been cold. They had been kids, once, before the architecture of Diane’s control had hardened around them.
"There's an empty spot right here," Emma said gently, pointing to the center of the board. "You can tape it there."
May you like
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears. She didn't let them fall, but the gratitude was absolute.
The bridge of toothpicks was slowly turning into steel.
