My In-Laws Teased Me for Working as a Janitor at Easter Dinner – But My Daughter’s Words Wiped the Smirks off Their Faces

“Do you miss Dad on days like this?”

We pulled up to Gina and Duncan’s house, all brick and hedges and those impossible blue hydrangeas Gina fussed over every year. The driveway was jammed with cars, Daniel’s cousins, aunts, and their kids.

“Deep breath, huh, Mom?” Audrey asked, eyes sparkling.

I laughed. “You read my mind.”

We walked up the steps together.

Gina greeted us at the door, wearing pearls and a smile as tight as a piano string.

“You read my mind.”

“Stella. You look… fresh,” she said, her gaze drifting to my hands.

I wondered if she could still smell the bleach on my skin.

“Thank you for having us, Gina.”

Her eyes moved to Audrey. “My, that’s a bright dress. Did you sew it yourself?”

Audrey shook her head, her voice polite. “No, Grandma. But it has pockets.”

A cousin snorted behind us.

“My, that’s a bright dress. Did you sew it yourself?”

Duncan appeared with a drink, nodding at me but not meeting my eyes. “We started the roast, girls. Hope you’re hungry.”

We settled in, and Audrey’s hand found mine under the table.

Lunch was a swirl of silverware, clinking glasses, and forced small talk. The roast glistened in the middle of the table, but my stomach twisted tight.

One of Daniel’s cousins launched into a play-by-play of her latest promotion, voice loud and bright.

Audrey’s hand found mine under the table.

Aunt Margaret cut in, waving her fork. “You must come on a cruise with us next spring, Stella. It’s all-inclusive, of course. There’ll be endless buffets. Audrey, have you ever been on a ship?”

My daughter’s eyes darted to mine. “No, ma’am. But maybe one day.”