But over the following months, Carol and I started talking again.
At first, our conversations were short.
She asked about my pregnancy. I told her about my nausea and Daniel’s obsession with baby equipment.
When she offered to accompany me to a prenatal appointment, I told her I wasn’t ready.
Our conversations were short.
“That’s okay,” she said. “Maybe another time.”
She didn’t complain, and I noticed.
***
A few weeks later, we invited her to dinner.
Carol brought dessert and asked about a design project I was working on.
For once, she listened without criticizing.
She didn’t complain.
When I finished explaining it, she smiled.
“You’re talented, Alma. I should’ve told you that years ago.”
I nearly cried!
***
Our daughter, Sophie Ruth, was born six months after that visit.
We gave her my mother’s name as her middle name.
“I should’ve told you that years ago.”
Carol visited the hospital the following afternoon.
