Chapter 26 - BLACKBERRY COBBLER
Milo asked for cobbler eleven months after the party.
No therapist suggested it.
No anniversary.
Saturday afternoon.
He came into the kitchen while I was baking.
“What that?”
“Blackberry cobbler.”
He stared.
I waited.
“Grandma one?”
“No. Just cobbler.”
“Can I have?”
My chest tightened.
“After it cools.”
He nodded.
Then went outside.
That simple.
When it cooled, I gave him a small bowl.
No cream.
His choice.
Callum sat across from him.
Neither of us watched too obviously.
Milo caught us anyway.
“Stop.”
We looked away.
He took one bite.
Chewed.
Then another.
“Good.”
I laughed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Mom.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
He ate half.
Left half.
No symbolism required.
Later I found the bowl in the sink.
Ordinary dirty dish.
I cried for thirty seconds over soap bubbles.
May you like
Then returned to work.
Recovery is embarrassing.
