“You are really brave,” Grandma whispers when I tell them how I fought even after getting shot in my leg one time. “It must be in your blood. My father used to say, ‘You can learn a lot of things, but some things, you’re just born with.’”

When I don’t comment, she adds, “After your grandfather died, your grandmother and I talked frequently on the phone. In her final days, she missed your mother a lot. She’d tell me about Martha’s childhood days, her hobbies, and her affection for antique items.”

My heart thrums like it does whenever there’s a reference to Mom. Grandma’s gaze jumps from me to Autumn until it zooms in on the pendant around her neck. I don’t know if Autumn realizes that she’s clutching the triquetra in her hand.

Grandma wears a satisfied smile. “But whenever the conversation of your father came up, your grandmother would go silent. I think she didn’t know much about him. What happened to him? Martha was alone in the car at the time of the accident, right?”

My hand holding the fork suddenly feels too weak, and the steel cutlery becomes the heaviest weight I’ve ever picked up. My legs fucking shake so much that I worry if others can see it under the table.

“He’s…no longer alive.” I force the words out of my mouth.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, honey. Did you lose him before Martha?” Unbeknownst to the pain her questions are causing me, Grandma continues.

My mouth dries. Never in my adult life have I felt this weak. I rub my shaking hands over my jeans and stare at the half-eaten food before me.

How bad would it be if I just storm out of here?

I’m struggling to think of an excuse to leave when Autumn places her hand over mine under the table. She gives it a squeeze, as if telling me that for tonight I can borrow some of her strength.

“Grandma, Lukas doesn’t like to talk about…his childhood.”

My throat closes as she tries to support me…even without being aware of my life’s miseries.

My gaze shoots to her, and she’s looking at me with so much affection and love that in this moment, I’d give away everything I own just to be with her.

“I’m so sorry, honey.” Grandma leans back in her seat. “Please forget that I asked. I’m so happy you’re here with us tonight. I only had one wish in my life and that was to fulfill the promise my mother made.” Her wrinkled face holds so much emotion that I can’t look away even if I tried. “She and your great-grandmother would be so happy and proud of the both of you.” Grandma looks up at the night sky as if she has a view of the heavens, or wherever our elders reside.