Chapter 23 - CLARA’S CHRISTMAS
Clara hosted Christmas twelve years after the horse incident.
Josephine chose to attend.
I nearly said no.
She was sixteen.
Old enough to have a voice.
Clara’s house was smaller than Robert’s old estate.
No mountains of presents.
Her children were adults or teenagers.
Silas was no longer there.
They had divorced after his conviction and years of financial conflict.
Clara placed one gift beneath the tree for each person.
Different prices.
No ranking.
Josephine opened a used first-edition children’s design book.
She gasped.
“This is amazing.”
Clara smiled nervously.
“It belonged to Arthur.”
Josephine froze.
Clara immediately added:
“If you don’t want family stuff, I’ll take it back. No pressure.”
Josephine looked at me.
Then at the book.
“I want it.”
May you like
That was how old objects became safe.
Choice.
