My Son Brought

She wore pearl earrings and a burgundy dress. Behind her, the hallway glowed gold.

For one second, her face froze.

Not because she saw me.

Because she saw Caleb.

“Oh,” she said.

Just that.

Oh.

Caleb smiled. “Merry Christmas, Grandma.”

My mother’s eyes dropped to the bag in his hand.

Then she looked over her shoulder, back into the house.

I heard Ashley laughing.continue reading …