As they drove away from the beach, Brianna turned to her mom and smiled. "Thanks for today, Mom. It was exactly what I needed."
They walked back toward the car. The sun had slid lower; gulls cried like distant bells. Kathleen's steps were steady, though slower, and Brianna matched them. At the station wagon, Kathleen paused and touched her daughter's face with a precise, unbothered affection. MomComesFirst.23.12.05.Brianna.Beach.The.Date.X...