“Sara?”
“I’m here.”
“You came home early.”
“Yes.”
Then, immediately, she said, “I’m sorry I’m down here.”
Of course she apologized.
“Gabriel said they needed the room. I didn’t want to cause trouble.”
“You did not cause anything.”
“Danny wanted to watch the game.”
“I know.”
“I can manage down here.”
That sentence nearly broke me because I knew she meant it. My mother could endure almost anything if enduring it meant nobody else had to adjust.
“You are not staying here.”
“Sara, what about Gabriel?”
“I’ll handle Gabriel.”
I helped her stand. She had lost weight during treatment, and the stairs exhausted her. She apologized as we climbed, apologizing for moving slowly and for needing my arm.
When we reached the guest room, Gabriel and Danny were still there.
I looked at Danny.
“Thank you for visiting. You need to leave now.”
He glanced at Gabriel.
