Chapter 6 - SOPHIE QUIT
Six months later, Sophie resigned.
It shocked me.
By then, she was Margaret’s full-time certified nursing assistant.
Better salary.
Benefits.
Predictable hours.
She had done excellent work.
Margaret adored her.
I asked:
“Did we do something wrong?”
Sophie smiled.
“No.”
“Then why leave?”
“I got accepted.”
“Where?”
“A nursing program.”
My surprise turned into pride.
“Full time?”
“Yes.”
She looked nervous.
“I can’t do school properly and work here full time.”
Margaret, sitting nearby, said:
“Then leave.”
Sophie blinked.
Grandma continued:
“Go become expensive.”
I laughed.
Sophie cried.
I helped arrange a proper transition for Margaret.
Not as a gift to Sophie.
As my responsibility.
Sophie trained the new caregiver.
Left with strong references.
And stopped depending on me for income.
That became important later.
Much later.
At the time, I only knew the house felt strange without her.
Quieter.
Margaret noticed.
“You miss her.”
“Of course.”
“Careful.”
I looked at Grandma.
“What does that mean?”
“It means gratitude is not romance.”
I almost choked on my coffee.
“I didn’t say—”
“You didn’t need to.”
She pointed her spoon at me.
“That girl just fought for independence. Do not make yourself another complicated thing she has to manage.”
I stared.
Then laughed.
“Understood.”
Grandma smiled.
“Good.”
May you like
Sometimes wisdom arrives wearing orthopedic slippers.
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