I had walked away.
I had not stayed to hear another word.
“What did you say next?” I asked.
Rebecca answered immediately.
“I told Claire I hated that we depended on you so much.”
Daniel’s brow tightened.
“You never told me that.”
“I tried.”
“When?”
“Last spring. Twice.”
She looked at me again.
“I told Claire I thought we were taking advantage of you.”
My thoughts moved slowly.
“That isn’t what it sounded like.”
“I know.”
“Why didn’t you say something to me?”
“Because I was ashamed.”
The same answer I had given Linda.
That realization unsettled me.
Rebecca continued.
“You paid for groceries even when I told you not to. Then I stopped telling you not to. You picked up the kids because it was easier. Then we stopped asking if you were available. You cooked because you were better at it. Then somehow dinner became your responsibility.”
Daniel stared at the table.
Rebecca’s eyes filled, though no tears fell.
“One day Emily asked me what Grandma’s job was. And Jack said, ‘She takes care of us.’”
My chest tightened.
“I love taking care of them.”
“I know.”
“That wasn’t a burden.”
“Not at first.”
