Chapter 26 - The Patio
Before the move, we returned to the old patio.
Not for therapy.
Vanessa was selling the house.
Lily wanted to see the garden.
The flower pot from the incident had been replaced.
Same corner.
Different flowers.
Lily did not remember much.
At five, two years is enormous.
She pointed.
“Was I little here?”
“Yes.”
“You cried,” Vanessa said.
Lily looked at her.
“Why?”
Vanessa answered simply.
“We had a bad day.”
Accurate enough for five.
Then a butterfly landed near the new pot.
All three adults froze slightly.
Lily walked toward it.
Vanessa said nothing.
The butterfly lifted away.
Lily followed two steps.
Then stopped.
No pot fell.
No lesson.
No symbolism required.
Vanessa looked at me.
“I almost told her not to touch it.”
“I know.”
“She wasn’t touching it.”
“I know.”
May you like
We both laughed quietly.
Healing sometimes looks like noticing the old reflex before it becomes someone else’s problem.
