“I’m sorry, ma’am. There is no reservation under Hazel Carter.”
Grandma turned to my father.
“Richard, where is my ticket?”
He didn’t check his phone.
He didn’t open the document folder Aunt Monica was holding.
He only sighed like Grandma had inconvenienced him.
“I forgot your ticket,” he said. “You should just go home.”
The clerk froze.
My mother stared at her phone.
Aunt Monica looked over Grandma’s shoulder.
My cousins studied the floor.
No one looked surprised.
That was how I knew.
Grandma’s fingers tightened around the suitcase handle.
Her shoulders trembled once, but she forced a small smile.
“It’s all right,” she whispered. “I don’t want anyone missing the flight because of me.”
Aunt Monica finally looked at her.
“Please don’t make this dramatic, Mom. We already told you Dad forgot the booking.”
Grandma had just paid for their entire vacation, and my aunt was scolding her for being abandoned.
