Chapter 25 - Doreen Watches
Doreen attended from a distance.
She had not been invited as family.
She had come because Lula had agreed to let her watch.
She stood near the gate.
Taryn saw her.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Doreen looked at the children.
Then at Lula.
Then at the cupcakes.
Lula noticed her.
She walked toward the gate.
Taryn didn't stop her.
Lula stood several feet away.
“Hi, Grandma.”
Doreen smiled weakly.
“Hi.”
“I have a cupcake.”
Doreen's eyes filled with tears.
“Thank you.”
Lula held it out.
Then she added:
“You have to ask nicely.”
Doreen laughed through her tears.
“May I?”
Lula nodded.
“Yes.”
Doreen accepted the cupcake.
It was a small moment.
But Taryn knew it mattered.
Not because everything was forgiven.
May you like
It wasn't.
But because Lula had chosen kindness without surrendering her boundaries.
