Ethan visited every Sunday.
And Lily began spending afternoons with me.
One Saturday, she came running through my apartment carrying a drawing.
“Grandma!”
I smiled.
“What is it?”
She held it up.
It was a picture of a long table.
Five people were sitting around it.
At the far end was a woman with gray hair.
I smiled.
“Who’s this?”
“You.”
“And what’s this?”
She pointed to the plate in front of me.
“Lobster.”
I laughed.
“Why did you give Grandma lobster?”
“Because Grandma deserves the biggest piece.”
I hugged her.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Grandma does.”
That evening, Ethan called.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Can you come to dinner tomorrow?”
“Where?”
“The restaurant.”
I smiled.
“Daniel’s place?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s coming?”
“Everyone.”
I knew what he meant.
Family.
I went.
When I arrived, Claire met me at the door.
“Eleanor.”
“Hello.”
She smiled.
“Your table is ready.”
I walked inside.
The same dining room.
The same crystal glasses.
The same elegant tables.
But this time, there was no seat at the far end.
My chair was beside Ethan.
Lily sat on my other side.
Claire’s mother was across from me.
And in front of my place was a lobster dinner.
I looked at Ethan.
He smiled.
“No special treatment.”
I laughed.
“Good.”
