I didn’t suddenly forgive everything.
But something in me loosened.
Later that evening, Lily was painting planets at the kitchen table when she asked,
“Is Aunt Alyssa’s wedding still happening?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
Her face fell slightly.
“That’s sad.”
“Maybe. Sometimes sad things create room for better things.”
She thought about it.
“Like when my doll broke and we used the pieces to build a spaceship?”
I laughed.
“Exactly like that.”
Over the following months, I heard pieces of what happened.
Alyssa tried to arrange another ceremony somewhere cheaper.
Several vendors had already booked other clients.
Some deposits were gone.
