Mothers and Daughters

“How do you propose getting to Idlewild?” Amanda asked. “You’re not allowed to drive outside Connecticut.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” Kate said. “I’ll take a cab.”

There was a moment’s silence at the table. Matthew’s fork accidentally clinked against his plate.

“I’ll drive you, if you like,” Amanda said.

“Thank you, Mother,” Kate answered. “I can take a cab.”

Amanda raised her eyes to Kate’s. Very softly, she said, “It’s a long trip, Kate, to make alone. You might want someone to talk to.” She paused for a moment, as if what she had to say now was very difficult. But when the words finally left her lips, they were really quite simple. “I’d like to go along with you, daughter,” she said.

Matthew watched them silently as they faced each other across the table. Amanda smiled tentatively and extended her open hand to Kate. Kate hesitated a moment, and then took the hand wordlessly, her eyes never leaving Amanda’s face. He had the feeling something passed between them in that moment, something almost tangible passed between them as Kate took Amanda’s hand in her own, a love, an understanding, something he could not quite fathom, something like...

He shook his head.

Something like a legacy, he had thought.

“Eat your potatoes, son,” he said.