Lost Me Gained Regret

Gregory gently wiped away my tears, helped me to my feet, and took the baby from my arms.

"You've got two minutes for tears, any more than that is bad for the eyes."

I reached out and hugged him, rubbing my face against his shoulder, "No more crying."

Gregory patted my back and whispered in my ear, "Help your mom up, will you?"

I let go of him and turned around. As I bent down, my mom was turning her wine glass upside down.

The liquid inside traced a wet line across the floor.

My mom opened her mouth but didn't say anything.

Seeing her trying to get up, I reached out to help her.

She waved me off, "Go talk to your grandma some more, I'll head downstairs."

I still held onto her, "I'm done talking. Let's go home together."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as we slowly made our way downstairs, arm in arm.

Gregory, holding the baby, followed behind us.

skipped the office

your

knew Gregory stayed to cook as a way to ease

that my mom

the guilt

been avoided if we hadn't thrown that party, giving Summer

ended up watching baby Mira

the dishes,

met, and he subtly raised his eyebrows at me, magically

let's break free from the chains we've put

poked Mira's cheek, and the baby, not understanding much yet, just smiled back,

laughed too, gripping my

to live healthily,

Mi

Gregory happy, to watch

grow up."

maybe, to see Mira find

wild idea struck me, "Mom, you're free now, why

mom flicked my forehead, "What are you thinking? Do you think I'm like you kids, talking about falling

I argued. "Any age

so many years,