Ascent of the Heart by Jennifer Summer

Author:Jennifer Summer [Summer, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: World Line One Press
Published: 2022-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

“Come on in!” Valerie said with delight.

The joyful greeting surprised Cassandra. In her heart, she was very happy and relieved the relationship with her daughter had grown. She wondered if she dared risk that by speaking about the serious matters she had been considering. She thought Valerie would be strongest in her own home, and strong enough to withstand the shocks her words could bring.

Valerie waved her mother into her condo. Cassandra walked through the shadowed entrance and living room and moved to the light that streamed through the balcony’s French doors off the small dining area. Cassandra slipped the strap of her purse over a chair by the table as Valerie darted into the mini-kitchen.

“It’s small, I know.” Valerie called out to answer what went through her mother’s mind. “But it’s all I need.”

“It’s lovely, sweetie.” Cassandra said. “Truly.”

She glanced passed the bookcase to the short hall. Two doors were open. One closed. Cassandra assumed the pink cast of reflected light through one doorway marked the bathroom. Valerie brought out a plate of small muffins and white chocolate truffles.

“Those look delicious.” Cassandra said and inhaled the sweet aroma wafting from the plate.

“It’s from a semi-local coffee shop, Filbert’s Café.” Valerie darted back into the kitchen to start the kettle. “I could share their app.”

“As you know, I prefer tea.” Cassandra looked across her daughter’s small home. She noticed no photos on the walls or tucked on the bookshelves.

“They have that, too. All varieties.” Valerie said from the kitchen. “And some wonderful, locally sourced treats.”

“Then, alright. I’m sold.” Cassandra answered.

“Now, can I interest your practice in a nice logo?” Valerie came into the dining area and plopped a stack of napkins near the loaded plate.

“Well, perhaps.” Cassandra’s replied with a cringe.

“I’m teasing, mom.” Valerie giggled. “I know your office needs to be the opposite of a business like a flashy gym. You need a calm, reserved, or maybe even austere appearance.”

“I wouldn’t say austere.” Cassandra replied.

Valerie said nothing but a slight smile curved beneath her eye roll. Cassandra recalled her practice’s lobby and realized it was indeed bare.

“Tasteful is appropriate.” Cassandra stepped over to Valerie’s painting of the seascape lit by a huge moon. “I could hang an original work by my daughter.”

“Really?” Valerie said with mild shock.

“Of course. You’re good.” Cassandra smiled at her daughter. “Though for me, perhaps you could paint something with a brighter palette.”

“Like a bowl of fruit?” Valerie laughed.

“Um, no.” Cassandra smiled at the joke. She paused before saying “I noticed there are no photos.”

Valerie’s smile faded. She knew her mother meant there were no family photos. More pointedly, there were no photos of Ethan. After a long, silent moment, Cassandra spoke.

“I hope you don’t hide Ethan away, even in your own home.”

“Mom!” Valerie shouted. It seemed yet another day was not going as she planned.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I expected to see him, here. I have a picture of Ethan in my bedroom. It’s from the session with the photographer you took him to.”

“That’s nice.” Valerie said in a low voice.

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