Page 2 (1/2)

“We both know that isn’t true, but I’m happy to see some of the fire back in your eyes Whatever you need, I’e occasionally, and you’re right … in some ways, you are past due for a shake-up Justabout Cece She spoke her piece andyou once she shared her opinion

“You can help et this dye job even”

“Done How long has the bleach been in?”

“Maybe ten minutes? I set a timer for twenty minutes because that worked ith the test strand I did yesterday”

“So ait Other than things with your job and the new look, are you doing okay?”

Lilac sighed and let her shoulders droop “I’ to wrap ain”

“I knohat you ot the impression she was immortal”

“I wish But Gran would’ve hated it She was ready to be with Grandpa again and rest her weary bones, as she’d say” Lilac smiled as the memories flooded back

“She always had a ords, didn’t she? I knoherever she is she’s dancing with joy,” Cece said

“I do too She has no more pain, limitations, or sorrow I know it’s a joyous time for her I’ to miss her”

Cece patted her shoulder “We have a lot of good memories with Mrs Rose”

Cece morphed her solemn solo mission into a cause for celebration and joyful remembrance

“That we do She saved our asses h

“I always got the ier years because she understood our desperate need for freedolanced toward the wedding photograph of her grandparents

“From the stories she told me, I have no doubt she was Grandpa didn’t call her his little spitfire for nothing Plus, she’s originally from up on the mountain and their way of life is a lot different than ours Their way of life is completely different from ours There’s a true sense of wild abandon up there They’re not beholden to societal norms, and they have this sense of co They knohat it means to be free in a e never will”