40. Summer

40

SUMMER

A few weeks later

“Hmm. What would taste good with an order of humble pie?” I ask as I peruse the display at Stella’s Cookie Shack.

“Personally, I highly recommend the cherry chocolate chip cookie as a chaser when you have to eat crow,” Stella says with a wink.

“Make it a double, then,” my mom says.

Stella plucks two cookies from the case, slides them onto a plate, and hands it to us. We head to a white table in the back of her shop, settling in with the sweets.

My mom picks up a cookie. “A toast.”

I pick up the other one. “Yes, let’s toast to the end of my stubborn streak.”

She scoffs but says nothing.

“What?”

“You’ll be stubborn again. But I’m glad you’re not being stubborn now.”

I give her a soft and very genuine smile. “Me too. Also, thank you, Mom. I truly appreciate you doing this for me.”

Setting down her cookie, she stretches her hand across the table and squeezes mine. “I love that you’re pursuing your dream. I love that you saved so much of the money. And I love your commitment to doing this. It’s a beautiful thing to bring health and fitness to the older generation. I’m proud of you.” Emotions swell in my chest as she clasps my hand more tightly. “But I’m especially proud that you’re allowing me to help. Thank you for letting me.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Thank you for making this happen.”

We finalize the details of her gift to me.

I wanted it to be a loan, but she said she wanted to give it to me, no strings attached.

And I decided to take it.

With grace, at last.

It seemed more important to move forward than to dig in my heels.

And that means my gym opens in less than two months, and I have a ton to do.

I couldn’t be happier.