He Erased Me from Our Family Photo

When Lillian Ross left 7 years ago, Vera Walker was only 5. I was the one who stayed and raised her all these years. Now Lillian had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The doctors said she had 3 months left at most. That was why Conrad Walker had brought her back. The birthday party wasn't even over yet. After Conrad pried Vera's hands off me, tears slid down her cheeks and gathered at her chin. She didn't call Lillian "Mom." Lillian didn't force her either. She crouched down and gently wiped Vera's face. "It's okay. You can call me whatever you want." Conrad frowned. "We can't keep confusing things like this." Vera immediately hid behind me. "But she is my mom." The entire table went silent. Conrad looked at Lillian first. Her face had already gone pale. He crouched down in front of Vera, softening his voice. "Sabrina has been like a mom to you. But while your mother is here, call her Aunt Sabrina for now." "I don't want to." "Vera!" Just one word. Vera's mouth immediately trembled. I walked over and straightened the birthday crown on her head. "Weren't you just begging to cut the cake?" She grabbed my sleeve. "Then you have to stay with me." "I will." Conrad looked at me and visibly relaxed. He had always known that the moment Vera cried, I could never bring myself to make things harder. After she blew out the candles, the photographer called everyone over. "Mom and Dad on either side, birthday girl in the middle." Vera immediately reached for me. Conrad caught her hand first. "Let your mom take a picture with you today." Lillian said softly, "We can all take one together." "It wouldn't mean the same." After Conrad said it, he seemed to notice that I hadn't spoken. He came over and lightly squeezed my fingers. "Just one picture." Then he handed me his phone. "Sabrina, you take the best pictures." On the screen, Conrad stood on the left, Lillian on the right, and Vera in the middle. But Vera's eyes never left me. The photographer called out, "Ma'am, you might want to step back a little if you want to fit everyone in." I took one step back and pressed the shutter. At the exact moment the picture was taken, Vera's tears finally fell. That night, after we got home, Conrad put Vera to bed first. I was standing in the kitchen drinking water when he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Are you really mad?" Then he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a long, slim box. Inside was the necklace I'd stopped to admire twice 6 months ago. He had even remembered to choose a material that wouldn't irritate my skin. Conrad fastened it around my neck, his fingertips brushing lightly over the back of my neck. "Sorry I put you through all that, Mrs. Walker." I looked at his reflection in the glass. "The school's open house is tomorrow. Am I going?" His hands paused for a second. "Lillian is." I laughed. Conrad immediately turned me around to face him. "She missed 7 years of Vera's life. You'll have plenty more chances." "What about being called Mom?" "It's just a word," he said. "If it's just a word, why does it have to change?" That stopped him. After a moment of silence, he lowered his head and kissed my forehead. "It's been a long day. Don't overthink it. The doctors said 3 months is already an optimistic estimate. Once she's gone, everything will go back to normal." The bedroom door suddenly opened. Vera stood in the hallway holding her pillow. "Mom, I want to sleep with you." I had barely taken one step toward her when Conrad reached out and ruffled her hair. "How about sleeping with your mom tonight?" Vera's face immediately fell. "I don't want to." Conrad said, "It's the first birthday she's gotten to spend with you." Vera stared at me. Conrad looked at me too. I knew that look all too well. 'Don't make this harder for me.' I took Vera's pillow and tucked it securely into her arms. "If you can't sleep, call me." Her eyes red, she walked away. 10 minutes later, Conrad's phone rang. "I'll go check on her." He made it to the door, then turned back, setting my stomach medicine beside my hand. "Eat something before you take these." Then he turned and walked into the other room. The 2 pills sat in my palm. And the bedroom door closed right in front of me. I opened the drawer. At the very back, beneath everything else, was a photo from 7 years ago. I had just gotten out of surgery. Conrad was crouched beside the bed, putting socks onto my feet. His eyes were bloodshot. Back then, he had said, "Sabrina, we'll have another chance someday. But Vera only has you right now." Later, he told me, "From now on, you'll be the only mother she'll ever have." Apparently, forever only lasted 7 years.