Page 101 of Homecoming

“In case you’re wondering, she’s very much aware of my disapproval of her choices and the way she and Matt treated you. I put it to the side for Connor’s sake, but she knows.”

“I’m strangely thankful to her because without what they did, I never would’ve met Dan, and that would’ve been truly tragic.”

“Yes, it would have, but it never should’ve happened the way it did.”

“No, it shouldn’t have. Thank you for what you said. It means a lot to me to know how you really feel about it.”

“I should’ve told you this a long time ago.”

“Doesn’t matter. Now I know.”

“I was jealous, you know?”

“Of what?”

“Your tight bond with my mother, a bond I never had with her—or with you.”

“I never thought you wanted that with me—or her.”

“I’m not like you and her. You two have a warmth about you that people gravitate toward. I’ve never had that. I love you all so very much but have the worst time showing that for some reason. I wish I was more like you and my mother.”

Kara was incredibly moved by the unprecedented confession from a woman who’d never once displayed an ounce of insecurity or introspection. “All you have to do, Mom, is tell the people you love how you feel. Show them with your words and actions. Be kind and available. That’s all I’ve ever wanted from you—your time, your attention, your affection.”

“I sucked at all that. I’m trying to do better.”

“It’s never too late to make a change.”

“I hope that’s true. I feel so disconnected from you and the others…”

“Take us one at a time. I’m fairly confident everyone will appreciate the overture—as long as it’s followed up by action.”

“It will be. I promise, Kara. I want to be a good grandmother to your baby. I want to be part of your life. I want to get texts from you with pictures and funny stories like my friends get from their kids. I can’t change the past as much as I wish I could, but I’m trying to change the future.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you. It’s not easy to admit failings and try to fix them.”

“I’ve been in therapy for a while now. It’s helped me to see some things a little differently. And just so you know, it’s worth a lot to me that you’re proud. I’m proud of you, too, and the life you’ve built for yourself on Gansett with Dan. It’s obvious that you’re both very well loved there.”

“We’ve found a beautiful life there.”

“I hope this is resolved soon so you can go home. But in the meantime, Daddy and I would love to have you two over for dinner, with Mom and Buster, too, of course.”

“We’d like that.”

“I’ll text you to make a date.”

“Thanks for coming by, Mom. It means a lot to me to hear the things you said.”

“I’m sorry again that it took so long.”

Kara shrugged. “Better late than never.”

Her mother initiated the hug this time. “Love you, sweet girl.”

“Love you, too.”

Kara waved to her mother as she drove off in her silver Mercedes sedan. Then she went into the bedroom to find Dan sitting up in bed, scrolling through his phone.

“What was that about?”

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