CHAPTER 70

My mother once called me aside as I was assisting her in setting the lunch table, her smile belying her knowledge. Varya, Kylo is a good man. He clearly cares a great deal about you.

I looked at him, seeing his deft placement of the plates on the table. "He is," I said, feeling a range of emotions surge through my heart. "He's changed recently. More... mindful."

With understanding, my mother's eyes softened as she squeezed my hand.

"Be patient with it. Sometimes folks need some time to figure out what really important."

Lunch was satisfactory, the meals tasty and the company of the people wonderful. Then we felt free to converse and even joke around, the mood was friendly and welcoming. It was like imagining what it would be like to be happy again, to be half of what I had been before and maybe even better.

While we were having our dessert, my mother glanced at both of us and gave us a very mischievous look.

“So when are you two planning to give your old grandpa some grandchildren tha