Her voice shook.
“Then I spent years making you feel like you didn’t belong.”
“Carol…”
“I’m sorry, Alma.”
She looked directly at me.
“I can’t undo those years. And I know a music box won’t repair everything.”
I nodded.
“I’m sorry, Alma.”
“But your baby deserves to hear stories about Ruth and Michael. Both sides of this family matter.”
I couldn’t stop looking at the music box.
“Did Aunt Clementine hear it?”
Carol smiled.
“I took it to her after the repair.”
“What did she say?”
“Your baby deserves to hear stories.”
“She cried. Then she told me to stop being stubborn and give it to you.”
I laughed through my tears.
That sounded exactly like Clementine.
“Why didn’t you give it to me then?”
Carol looked embarrassed.
I laughed through my tears.
“I planned to bring it on your anniversary, but I lost my nerve.”
“Our anniversary was four months ago.”
