Consolation Prize
When he fell serious and somber, I said, “Well, it’s nice to know one good thing came from all this. Can’t say I’m going to miss Shauny boy.”
“Amen.” He silently handed me the cup, and I took a sip before giving it back. Then I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, content, cuddling my cheek to the cloth of his coat and happier than I could possibly express, glad I was here with him and nowhere else.
This was the kind of relationship I’d always wanted and I hadn’t even known it.
Something about the word relationship popped open a memory into my head, though. And I found myself saying, “You didn’t fail me.”