He and Vanessa were working through the disagreements that had surfaced afterward.
They were still married.
They had begun meeting with a counselor, and Daniel was trying to learn how to express himself without making somebody else responsible for the conversation.
He told me about his work.
Asked about my garden.
Helped repair a loose shelf in the kitchen.
Then he noticed the pale-blue dress hanging near the dining room.
“Mom, is that the wedding dress?”
“Yes. I picked it up this morning.”
He walked closer.
“Mrs. Chen did a good job.”
“She did.”
He studied the fabric.
“I’m sorry you never got to enjoy wearing it.”
I smiled faintly.
“I enjoyed it until the cake.”
He winced.
Then he turned toward me.
“Would you ever wear it again?”
“Perhaps.”
He nodded.
I went into the kitchen to make tea.
Daniel followed.
While I filled the kettle, he noticed an old photograph attached to the refrigerator.
It showed him at thirteen, standing between Richard and me at a school dance.
His tie was crooked.
My hair was much darker.
Richard was smiling broadly.
Daniel took the photograph down.
“I remember this.”
