My mother shakes her head immediately.
"No, Clara."
Her voice is firm.
"It's fine as it is."
I look up at her.
"I understand it perfectly," she continues. "You have your own path."
She pauses.
"And I'm never going to judge you for that."
Her words touch me deeply. Because, deep down, I'm always afraid of disappointing her.
"By the way, now that I remember him... What has become of Ethan?"
"Oh, he... he's continued to be a very good person to me," I say.
My mother looks up.
"Has he continued to be?"
Her expression barely changes.
There is some curiosity in his eyes.
"That means you're still in touch with him."
I nod slowly.
"Yes."
I rest the cup on the table.
"Since Dad's death... Ethan has been there."
My mother doesn't say anything. She just watches me.
"He's been wat
