Chapter 25 - First Visit Back
Elspeth was eight when she invited Maude to lunch.
Not cabana.
Club café.
Public.
Gareth and I present.
Maude arrived early.
No sunglasses indoors.
Good.
Elspeth sat across.
“Hi.”
“Hi, sweetheart.”
Elspeth’s eyebrows rose.
Maude corrected.
“Hi, Elspeth.”
Then lunch.
Normal.
Fries.
Sandwich.
No heavy talk until Elspeth asked.
“Do you still think I’m not Rowan?”
Maude swallowed.
“No.”
“Because judge?”
“Not because judge.”
“Then?”
“Because I was wrong.”
Good.
Then:
“Do you wish Grandpa left cabana you?”
“Yes.”
Honest.
Elspeth stared.
“Still?”
“Yes.”
Then Maude added:
“But wanting it does not mean I get to take it from you or treat you badly.”
Better.
Elspeth ate fry.
“Okay.”
Then:
“Can you come there?”
“Only if you invite me.”
Elspeth looked at us.
We said nothing.
She decided:
“Not yet.”
Maude’s face fell.
Then she smiled faintly.
“Okay.”
No pressure.
Lunch continued.
At end Maude asked:
“Can I hug you?”
Elspeth said:
“Side.”
May you like
Side hug.
Enough.
