She had one suitcase and a small bag with her medications.
She apologized for the medications.
She apologized for the suitcase.
She told me the suitcase was probably too much and she could have packed lighter.
I said: Mom.
She said: I’m just saying.
I said: you can bring as much as you want. This is your room.
She looked at the guest room.
She said: it’s a nice room.
She said it with the specific appreciation of someone who is trying to let themselves have something without immediately qualifying it back to nothing.
I said: it’s across from the bathroom.
She said: that’s thoughtful.
I said: the chemo.
She said: yes.
She said: thank you.
She said it simply, without apology attached.
That was the best she could do, and it was enough.
