« I proposed marriage to Ethan. »
I almost spilled my coffee.
« Mom, he’s fifty-six years younger than you! »
She gave me a gentle, sad smile.
« I know, sweetheart. I just wanted to make sure he had a place to live and somebody to care for him. »
But Ethan had turned down her proposal.
« He told me he couldn’t marry me just to have somewhere to sleep. »
Three months afterward, Mom died peacefully during the night.
As I prepared for her funeral, I came across a note she’d written by hand.
She specifically wanted Ethan invited when her will was read.
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