Chapter 13 - THE COTTAGE
Margaret’s cottage was finished seven months later.
Cream siding.
Blue shutters.
Two bedrooms.
A kitchen smaller than Jason’s dining room.
She loved every inch.
The first night, she slept badly because construction dust made the house smell unfamiliar.
By the fourth, it felt like home.
Thomas visited twice a week.
Scheduled visits.
Not automatic childcare.
Some afternoons Margaret picked him up because she wanted to.
Some days she said no.
The first time she refused because she had lunch plans, Jason simply said:
“Okay. Have fun.”
Margaret hung up and stared at her phone.
That was progress.
Melissa visited the cottage only once during the first several months.
She stood on the porch awkwardly.
“I owe you an apology.”
Margaret waited.
Melissa exhaled.
“I treated your help like something I was entitled to.”
Good start.
“I used Thomas to pressure you.”
Better.
“I charged you because I needed money and didn’t want Jason to know.”
There it was.
No excuse.
Margaret opened the door wider.
Not forgiveness.
Not yet.
Just enough room for conversation.
Melissa looked around.
“It’s nice.”
“I know.”
“The yard still feels weird with the fence.”
Margaret raised one eyebrow.
Melissa actually laughed.
May you like
“Sorry.”
That was progress too.
