Chapter 24 - THE FAMILY CELEBRATION WE TRIED AGAIN
Ivo was sixteen when he won another school award.
Not academics.
Community service.
He organized a student project that redesigned a neglected playground entrance so younger children could access it safely.
Apparently safe neighborhoods never completely left him.
We planned dinner.
Small.
I asked:
“Do you want family?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
He made list.
Grandma.
Two cousins.
My niece.
Aaron.
Three friends.
Not Melisande.
I did not question.
His event.
Then the morning of dinner:
“Can Aunt Melisande come?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“She won’t touch my award.”
I laughed.
“She definitely will not.”
Melisande arrived carrying no gift.
Smart.
She congratulated him.
Did not ask to photograph award.
Did not make a speech about her daughter.
Sat where assigned.
A normal guest.
Halfway through dinner, Ivo’s certificate slid off the side table.
Melisande instinctively reached to pick it up.
Stopped herself.
Looked at Ivo.
“Can I?”
He smiled.
“Yeah.”
She picked it up.
Put it back.
May you like
Tiny.
Enormous.
