He was playing in the living room when I went into the kitchen to get dessert.
He followed me.
“Grandma?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Are you happy now?”
I crouched down in front of him.
“Why do you ask me that?”
He shrugged.
“Because you smile more than you used to.”
My eyes filled with tears.
Children sometimes find simple ways to express the things adults spend years trying to understand.
I pulled him into my arms.
“Yes, my darling. I think I’m happier now.”
He thought about that for a moment.
“Will you come to the beach with us again?”
I kissed his forehead.
“Maybe. If I want to.”
He looked surprised.
“What if you don’t want to?”
I smiled.
“Then I’ll tell you. And we’ll find something else to do together.”
He accepted my answer with the effortless understanding of a child.
Then he ran back to his toys.
I remained in the kitchen for a few seconds, my hands resting on the counter.
