Chapter 26 - THE NEXT BABY
Lily became a mother at thirty-seven.
Her son, Samuel, was born healthy.
She named him after no living relative.
Samuel was Amelia’s grandfather’s name.
Fine.
I arrived at the hospital carrying flowers.
Stopped at the door.
Knocked.
Lily called:
“Dad, you can come in.”
“I know.”
“You’ve been doing this for thirty years.”
“Consent ages well.”
She rolled her eyes.
Her husband, Noah Mercer, held Samuel.
“Want him?”
I looked at Lily.
“Can I?”
“Yes.”
I took my grandson.
Warm.
Tiny.
No locket.
No trust lawyer waiting.
No family administrator deciding who got access.
Lily fed him later.
Formula first because nursing had been difficult.
No shame.
I made tea.
Then froze.
Lily saw.
“Dad.”
“I know.”
“Make it.”
I did.
Sealed bag.
Hot water.
Milk.
She watched me place it beside her.
“You first.”
I laughed.
“No.”
“Coward.”
She drank.
Then handed it to me.
I took a sip.
Normal.
Samuel slept through the entire symbolic breakthrough.
May you like
Appropriate.
Babies do not care about family narratives.
