A Son Learns to Listen
Chapter 16 - A Son Learns to Listen
Dante took Rose to the park where she'd pushed him on a swing as a child. She insisted on walking without an attendant for the short path, accepting his arm only on the uneven stones.
“Are you angry with me?” he asked.
Rose looked surprised. “Why would I be?”
“Because I wasn't there. Because I let Celeste handle everything.”
She stopped beside a maple tree. “I'm angry that you didn't listen when I tried to tell you.”
He bowed his head.
“But I'm glad you're listening now,” she continued. “Those are different things.”
“I thought working made me a good son.”
“Work can be honorable. So can coming home for supper.”
Dante smiled sadly. “You sound like Dad.”
“Your father knew that a full wallet and an empty dinner table could happen at the same time.”
Rose watched children chase fallen leaves. “I don't need you to build me another house, Dante. I need you to visit the one I already have. And ask before changing my life.”
He took her hand. “I will.”
***
That Sunday Rose hosted supper in her brownstone. Evelyn brought Ben and Samuel. Dante arrived without bodyguards in the dining room and without checking his phone through dessert.
Rose served too much food, as always. She told embarrassing stories about young Dante hiding comic books inside a dictionary. Ben laughed so hard he spilled water.
Evelyn reached immediately for a napkin, startled by her own reflex to apologize. Rose stopped her.
“It's only water, sweetheart. That's what towels are for.”
Something in the room softened. Samuel offered to do the dishes. Dante tried to help, but Rose banished him to the table because he put plates away in the wrong cupboards.
They argued, laughed, and made plans for the next Sunday.
Evelyn realized she'd gone an entire evening without wondering what she owed someone for being kind to her.
May you like
Then Rose brought out the cedar box and placed it in the center of the table.
“I want you to hear the last letter Margaret wrote,” she said.
