Chapter 18 - The GardenSix months later, the yard looked completely different.
The iron cage was gone.
In its place stood a rose garden.
White roses.
Pink roses.
Deep red roses.
Eleanor sat beneath the porch awning with a glass of iced tea.
Her cheeks had regained color.
Her hair was neatly combed.
She wore a soft blue cardigan.
Clara sat beside her.
They watched the sunset spread gold across the neighborhood.
"Do you remember the first thing you said when you came back?" Eleanor asked.
Clara smiled.
"I said, 'I'm here.'"
Eleanor nodded.
"That was enough."
Clara looked at her.
"I should have come sooner."
Eleanor reached over and touched her hand.
"Don't live in the years we lost."
She looked toward the garden.
"Live in the years we still have."
Clara's eyes filled with tears.
She leaned her head against her mother's shoulder.
May you like
For the first time in years, silence didn't feel empty.
It felt peaceful.
