Going Home

Part 19

Margaret watched Josh as he walked away then looked at Grace. “I don’t think he’s ever going to be able to forgive me.”

Grace sat forward and looked at Margaret with sympathy “He’s going to need some time. He’s lived with the belief that he was responsible for his brothers death and that you held him accountable for a long time. It will take him a while to get used to the idea that that’s not the case. But he will. I’m sure of it.”

Margaret smiled at Grace. She was glad her son had such a lovely person in his life. “Thank you.” 

Grace returned her smile. She hadn’t known what to expect meeting Josh’s mother. She had wondered what sort of person she would be to allow fourteen years to go by without any contact with her only remaining son. But now she had met her she was pleased to find she seemed a good person, pushed beyond her limits by horrible circumstances. And being separated from the emotion of it, Grace could understand how it might have happened. She could see that they had all paid a price.

Josh moved back to his mother and Grace and looking at Grace said “let’s go.”

Grace got to her feet. Then turning to Margaret she smiled, “it’s been nice to meet you.”

Margaret stood and smiled at Grace “thank you, you too.”

Then turning to Josh and studying his stern expression Margaret asked with caution “I’m here until the day after tomorrow can we meet again?”

Josh just looked at her for a minute, his expression grim before he replied “you’ve got my number.” Then turning away he asked Grace “ready?”

Grace smiled at him, “sure.” She wasn’t fooled by his gruff attitude. She knew he felt more than he showed. But it seemed he was not ready to forgive just yet. Lifting her hand to Margaret in a gesture of farewell they turned and left.

Margaret watched as they crossed the foyer and smiled as she saw Josh put his arm around Grace and pull her close to kiss her. She was pleased he had found someone to share his life with. They seemed happy together and she liked Grace. But the smile dropped from her face as she considered her son’s reaction. She wasn’t sure she felt as optimistic as Grace about it. His attitude did not bode well but she could only hope that once he had had time to think about it they would be able to start a fresh.