or Ro

I opened my eyes weakly, staring blankly into space for a mom

me, urging me to lie back down. I turned toward my grandmo

you okay?" she asked, he

kay with your da

I reassured her, my voice calm, accomp

bout your fear of dogs," she said

ast met. You might have thought I got over it,"

stly, I feel guilty for not visiting you or urging your mother to do so. Maria has been struggling with a lot these p

ng. She continued bitterly, "Her chances of survi

th emotion. "Why didn't she call me or my f

mouth, probably to calm me

, she was on the verge of dying... Did she even think about us fo

or years erupted at once, and my

pushed her away. I didn't want her sympathy-not now, not after all

cold water on my face, gripping the edges of the sink as I stared into the m

r... for Dad. You promised him,

behind me. As I returned to the living room, I noticed a middle-aged man

, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me into a warm

soft, golden-brown hair. This shade

, warm tears dampened my shoulder

my ba

ging me even tighter. I hesitantly returned the embrace, albeit stiffly. She kisse

much, why didn't you v

er, while the man and my grandmother watched in silen

..." my mother mur

elf sick," I said, sighing as I carefu

d to be cruel. Besides, the presence of this man mad

memorizing every detail. "You've grown,

en't changed at

ill looked young and beau

an who had been quietly watching us. I still had no idea who he was, but

beautiful... she l

autiful because I

t I have my own beauty, not just

stead, I forced a polite, tight-lipped

call me Harry," he introduced

I replied, my

s into a tight embrace, exclaiming in a childlike

y eyes in

r family. My father

a little sister!" my grandmother said wi

they feel about their father marry

in Harry or Harold. Both had acted selfishly, cha

in conversation with them, though all I really wanted was for my grandmother to

, Maria, you didn't see how Eleano

the topic of

, her face filled with alarm. "You still

rustration, "Un

tically before saying, "It'

disapprovingly, "But to the poi

you, your dog is the size of an ant. To me, he'

ed through your experiences. If she had been viciously atta

annoyance at my tone, then turned to Harry and said, "Harry, y

said, "I don't mi

"Thanks, but don't bother. I refus

said in a firm tone, "Eleanor, you need to overcome

dramati

grandmother with suspicion. "It would be nic

e. He'll stay with a friend of m

but not

cus on the important thing!" She turned to Harry, excitement l

answering with ease, "Yes... We'll be visiting the est

y averted my gaze. A familiar image of my fa

me from my thoughts. "Ele

ng her to repeat her question. "

wh

. It's not far

ere with Grandma and listening to her end

ught, I sighed and sa

-

Next

front passenger seat while I sat in the back, headphon

g to do with me anyway. In the end, what was I to them?

rees on both sides. I gazed out at the sce

rived. He seemed excited and even called me, asking about my imp

the ones about my mother's new husband. But I could hear

se their pride and dignity. I have n

path that wound through the trees. After a while, I s

rview mirror. "Be patient, li

to me in that fatherly tone. He was a strang

the buildings of the