Chapter 10: Someone’s Guest

Later that evening, Judy sat beside Carol near the water.

The others had gone inside, still arguing over whether their next group number should include choreography.

The ocean moved under the moonlight, silver and endless.

Carol sat with her sandals in one hand and her toes buried in cool sand.

For a long time, neither woman spoke.

Then Judy looked at her gently.

“You deserved to see the ocean as someone’s guest,” she said softly. “Not their employee.”

That nearly broke Carol’s heart all over again.

She looked out at the waves and thought about all the years she had made herself useful so people would remember she was there.

Meals cooked.

Birthdays planned.

Children watched.

Emergencies handled.

Quiet sacrifices offered before anyone had to ask.

“I would’ve helped them,” Carol whispered.

“Of course you would have.”

Judy squeezed her hand.

“That’s why they should have asked with respect.”

The waves rolled in.

Carol squeezed back.

For the first time all trip, she let herself fully believe it.

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