Chapter 7 - THE CADILLAC COMES BACK
Two days later, Grandpa and I went back for the Cadillac.
He insisted I stay in the sedan with Noah while he walked up to the porch, but I watched everything through the windshield.
Lauren opened the door first.
Even from the driveway I could see she had been crying.
Good, a cruel part of me thought, and I didn’t feel guilty for it.
Grandpa spoke to her for less than a minute before Dad came forward with the keys.
Mom hovered behind them like anxiety had finally taken human form.
When Grandpa pointed toward the driveway, Lauren’s face twisted.
She said something sharp.
Grandpa said something sharper.
Then he turned away from all of them, got into the Cadillac himself, and backed it carefully down the drive.
He parked beside us.
I moved Noah gently into his car seat, and for the first time since he was born, I buckled him into the Cadillac the way Grandpa had intended.
Safe.
Warm.
Mine.
Lauren stood on the porch with her arms folded so tightly across herself it looked painful.
When I opened the driver’s door, Mom rushed one step forward.
“Madison, you know this doesn’t have to become a permanent family rupture.”
I looked at her.
For years I had wanted her approval so badly I would have mistaken crumbs for a meal.
But standing there with Noah, the snow, the cars, and the truth finally laid bare, I saw her clearly.
She had watched.
Minimized.
Excused.
Softened every hard thing until it could keep happening.
“It became permanent when you watched me stand in the snow with your grandson,” I said.
Mom’s face fell.
Dad said nothing.
Lauren muttered, “This is insane.”
I looked at her too.
“No. It was insane that you thought I’d eventually thank you for taking my car.”
May you like
She said nothing after that.
For once.
