Could you prepare something for dinner?
Could you help us for just five minutes?
But this time, she was genuinely waiting for my answer.
“Yes,” I said. “I’d like to rest for a little while.”
“Of course. I’ll take a shower. Shall we meet in an hour?”
I nodded.
When she left the room, I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at my blue sweater.
I had brought it without knowing whether I would actually wear it.
I picked it up and held it between my hands.
The fabric was soft, and it still smelled faintly of the laundry detergent I used at home.
I wondered how such a simple piece of clothing could hold so many emotions.
It represented the vacation I had imagined, the moments I had missed, and perhaps the woman I was slowly becoming again.
I put it on.
Then I went downstairs to meet my daughter.
