Mom stood so quickly her chair scraped against the floor.
“How dare you do this to us?”
“Kylie, put that away.”
Uncle Colin pushed his chair back.
“You brought that out to embarrass everyone?”
“No. Grandma planned six afternoons. None of you came.”
“We have responsibilities!” Mom snapped.
“So does Grandma! She has a life, and you’re discussing it like it’s already over!”
Grandma spoke quietly.
“We have responsibilities!”
“Kylie.”
I turned. She was looking straight at me.
“I didn’t ask you to show them that.”
The anger left me.
“Grandma, I wanted them to understand.”
“Those were private, sweetheart.”
“Kylie.”
She folded her napkin.
“I’d like a moment alone.”
Then she walked into the kitchen.
I’d wanted to protect her.
Instead, I’d made her birthday even harder.
***
I found Grandma sitting at the kitchen table.
I’d wanted to protect her.
“Can I come in?” I asked.
She nodded.
I sat beside her.
