He just nodded once—short, sharp—and turned toward the door.
Leah lingered a second longer. Her eyes met mine, softer now, uncertain.
“I didn’t know,” she said.
“I believe you,” I replied.
She gave a small nod, then followed him out.
The screen door creaked open, then shut.
And just like that, the house was quiet again.
I sat there for a long time after they left, the envelope still on the table, the recipe box open in front of me.
Finally, I picked up another card.
For Claire, so she never forgets what home feels like.
I smiled, just a little, and closed the box.
Because for the first time since the funeral, the house didn’t feel heavy.
It felt like it had chosen who would stay.
