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.

he skipped the

keep your

cook as a way to ease the tension

my mom and I blamed

on, the guilt resurfaced every time grandma

we hadn't thrown that party,

both ended up watching baby Mira in her crib, silent for a long

out with the dishes, he glanced

eyes met, and he subtly raised his eyebrows at me, magically lifting much of

my mom, "Mom, let's break free from the chains we've put

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

laughed too, gripping my hand, you

to live

Mi

Gregory happy, to watch

grow up."

see Mira

me, "Mom, you're free now, why not try

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

argued. "Any

alone for so many years, I don't