But she never did.
The Strange Christmas Gift
That December, something felt different.
My daughter called me a few days before Christmas.
“Mom, are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” I told her.
She was quiet.
Then she said, “I love you.”
Those four words stayed with me.
She had said them before, of course. But this time her voice sounded different.
Almost as if she were saying goodbye.
After the call ended, I sat alone in my living room staring at the Christmas tree.
For the first time in twelve years, I decided I was done waiting.
I bought a plane ticket.
I didn’t tell her.
I wanted to surprise her.
Maybe, I thought, seeing me unexpectedly would finally break down whatever wall had been built between us.
I Arrived on Christmas Morning
When I finally arrived, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The house was much larger than I imagined.
