On Christmas

in the family, the woman who sent cards but rarely visited, who hugged me a little too long at funerals.

I almost didn’t answer.

But something made me.

“Claire,” she said.

Her voice was shaking.

“I saw the news.”

“I don’t want to hear that I should forgive them.”

“No,” she said quickly. “No. That’s not why I’m calling.”

I said nothing.

She took a breath.

“I continue reading …