I smiled, a soft smile that reached my eyes. “I’m not holding a grudge, Austin. There’s nothing to forgive. I wasn’t punishing you. I was just waiting for you to grow up.”

He let out a ragged breath, a sob escaping his chest, and gripped my hand like a lifeline. We sat there in the quiet restaurant, a mother and a son, finally meeting each other as equals for the first time.

As we walked out into the warm Miami night, Maya came running from where Chloe had parked the car, her face bright with joy. “Grandma! Grandma! Are you going to stay?”

she yelled, throwing her arms around my waist.

I looked at Austin, holding my blue suitcase, standing beside Chloe, who offered me a small, respectful smile. I looked up at the stars and felt Ernest’s presence in the warm breeze.

“I have a lot of living left to do,” I said, stroking Maya’s hair. “But yes. I think I’ll stay. This time, though, I’m keeping my own apartment.”

THE END.