Chapter 8 - Catherine's Last Lesson
Catherine lived four more years.
Long enough to see Maya graduate.
Long enough to see her granddaughter become a registered nurse.
Long enough to watch Arthur attend the ceremony carrying flowers so enormous Maya threatened to leave him outside.
Catherine's health declined afterward.
One evening she asked Arthur to stay.
Maya slept in the chair.
Catherine whispered:
“You love her?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Arthur smiled.
“You approve?”
“No.”
He blinked.
Catherine grinned.
“Wanted to see your face.”
“Cruel woman.”
“Listen.”
Arthur leaned closer.
“Don't rescue her.”
He frowned.
“She doesn't need rescuing.”
“Good answer.”
Catherine continued.
“You have money. That makes helping too easy.”
Arthur listened.
“Sometimes Maya needs help.”
“Yes.”
“Sometimes she needs to struggle.”
He disliked that.
Catherine saw.
“Exactly.”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Ask.”
“Ask what?”
“What she wants.”
Arthur remembered Maya asking the same thing in Isabelle's room.
Choice.
Catherine died peacefully three weeks later.
Maya was devastated.
Arthur didn't move her into his house.
Didn't pay every bill.
Didn't organize her grief.
He asked:
“What do you need?”
Maya answered:
“Stay.”
So he stayed.
May you like
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
