“I just need you.”
Something inside me finally shifted.
I SAW EVERY SMALL THING DIFFERENTLY
The flowerpot.
My garage.
My tools.
Her children.
Every time I had said:
“It’s fine.”
Marlene had apparently heard:
“You have permission.”
“Take the bags home.”
Her smile disappeared.
“I am not carrying nine garbage bags back.”
“Then call your garbage company.”
She rolled her eyes.
Started walking away.
The old Claire would have followed.
Explained.
Apologized for sounding harsh.
Possibly ended up helping carry the bags.
Instead—
I looked at the pile.
And had a better thought.
“Marlene.”
She turned.
“What?”
“Fine.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“Leave them.”
Immediately—
her smile returned.
“I knew you’d come around.”
“One condition.”
“What?”
“Anything you leave on my property becomes mine.”
She laughed.
“You want my trash?”
“I want us to understand each other.”
Marlene waved toward the bags.
“Absolutely.”
Then:
“Keep whatever treasures you find.”
“Perfect.”
