I do?”
Mom’s voice became quiet.
“You said, ‘At her age, she doesn’t need much.’”
Melissa stared at her.
“I was joking.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you upset?”
Mom took a long breath.
“Because I’m seventy, Melissa.”
She paused.
“I’m not finished.”
Nobody moved.
“I still like things. I still want to travel. I still get excited about plans. I still want people to think about me sometimes.”
Melissa’s eyes filled with tears.
Mom continued.
“I spent years telling both of you not to worry about me. Maybe I
