Chapter 10 - The Table of Equal Worth
As we sat down at the table, the evening air grew cool.
Daniel sat at one end, and I sat at the other. In the middle, sitting on beautiful wooden chairs that matched the table perfectly, were Hazel and Ruby.
There were no empty place settings. No one was cleared away.
Ruby looked at her plate, then up at me, a wide, bright smile spreading across her face. "Mommy, do we get to stay at this table forever?"
I reached across the table, taking her small hand in mine, while my other hand reached out to squeeze Hazel’s.
"Yes, baby," I said, my voice thick with a pride that had nothing to do with money or mansions. "This table belongs to you. Both of you. And anyone who ever tells you otherwise will never have a seat here."
As we passed the plates under the warm glow of the porch lights, I looked out over the quiet Texas night.
May you like
The Ralstons had spent ten years trying to make me feel small, believing that their name and their gender made them kings of a hollow empire. But as I watched my daughters laugh, secure in the knowledge that they were loved, valued, and completely protected, I knew who the real ruler was.
The quiet girl in the sensible shoes had built a fortress. And this time, it was built on a foundation that no one could ever destroy.
