Chapter 23 - Rose Comes to the Road
Rose never entered Blue Heron again.
But five years after party, she drove to Cedar Shore Road.
Not secretly.
She texted Ethan first:
I’m nearby for hotel conference. Can I leave something with Tom? I will not enter property.
Ethan showed me.
“What?”
“You decide.”
I replied through him:
Leave with Tom.
Rose left a small box.
Inside:
A new ceramic bowl.
Handmade by a Wisconsin artist.
Blue glaze.
A note:
I know this does not replace Joanne’s bowl. I’m not trying to. I saw it and thought of the one I broke. If you don’t want it, give it away.
I stared.
The original broken bowl halves were still on shelf.
I had never repaired.
I placed new bowl beside them.
Not replacement.
Addition.
That felt right.
Rose did not ask whether I kept it.
Later Judith said she had not even told her.
Good.
At annual lake association meeting, someone asked if Blue Heron was available for private rental.
I smiled.
“No.”
They accepted.
No explanation.
May you like
No fear of sounding difficult.
Just no.
