Chapter 21 - The Persian Rug
The Persian rug became family legend.
Lorelai had it professionally cleaned.
Stain remained faint.
She eventually replaced it.
Years later, Brandon told me she kept the old one in storage because “it cost too much.”
Of course.
When downsizing, she asked if I wanted.
I thought she was joking.
“Why would I?”
“Symbolism.”
“Absolutely not.”
She laughed.
Donated.
Then one day I saw similar rug at antique store.
Cream and burgundy.
I almost bought.
Owen asked:
“Why?”
“No reason.”
Then:
“Actually, yes.”
We bought a different one.
Blue.
No need reclaim exact.
Then dog.
After Winston died, Brandon waited two years and adopted another golden retriever named Charlie.
He trained from puppy.
At family event Charlie had accident near door.
Everyone froze for half-second.
Then Brandon grabbed cleaner.
“Got it.”
No one summoned wife.
No one destroyed electronics.
We laughed after.
That was perhaps clearest evidence family culture changed.
Not court.
Not contracts.
Someone cleaned their own dog mess.
Then Lorelai whispered to me:
“I was insane.”
“I wouldn’t use clinical term.”
She rolled eyes.
Then:
“Cruel?”
“Yes.”
May you like
“Fair.”
Growth can tolerate accurate language.
