“You added this.”
June nodded.
Ethan looked at his mother.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He glanced at Claire.
She smiled.
Then looked back at June.
“It’s going in the bedroom.”
June laughed.
“Not the living room?”
Claire shook her head.
“The living room still has a color scheme.”
Ethan groaned.
June hugged her.
It surprised all three of them.
Claire held on.
Not long.
Long enough.
—
Marriage did not magically improve anyone.
That pleased June.
She had grown suspicious of sudden transformation.
Ethan still avoided conflict sometimes.
Claire still cared too much what things looked like.
June still offered help too quickly.
But now they noticed.
That made a difference.
In November, Ethan called.
“The car needs a transmission.”
June’s mouth automatically formed the words, How much?
She stopped.
Ethan laughed.
“I heard you almost do it.”
“Do what?”
“Offer.”
“I did not.”
“You inhaled like an offer.”
June smiled.
“What are you going to do?”
