Page 148 of Misery

Mom brings out pot roast, potatoes, and vegetables.

Comfort food.

The kind she makes when she needs to mother us through something.

The meat falls apart at the touch of a fork, the potatoes are whipped with too much butter, the carrots are glazed with brown sugar.

"Looks great, Mom."

"Just eat."

We do.

Awkward at first, the clink of silverware too loud.

Then easier as food and forced normalcy work their magic.

Dad and Oskar talk about bikes, specifically the vintage Harley Dad's been restoring for three years.

Mom asks Helle about school.

"How are classes?" Mom's voice is carefully casual.

I jump in before Helle can fumble. "She's got finals coming up. Been studying like crazy."

"Good. Education's important. Especially for women in this life. Need something that's yours."

Helle nods, pushes food around her plate.

The guilt is eating her from the inside, I can see it. But now isn't the time.

"So," Dad says eventually, because someone had to. The elephant in the room needs addressing. "You two are together."

"Yes," I answer.

Mom reaches over, squeezes my hand.

The rest of dinner is easier.

Still weighted with everything unspoken, but manageable.

We're all trying, and maybe that's enough.

Mom brings out dessert—apple pie because she knows it's my favorite.

The crust is perfect, flaky and buttery.

The apples are soft but not mushy.

She's spent time on this, caring for us the only way she knows how.

"I love you all," she says suddenly, surprising everyone. "Our family is beautiful, and you all mean so much to me."

"Mom—" Helle starts.

"No, let me say this. We almost lost everything. Elfe almost died. We almost lost your father. We've been through hell. But we're here. Together. Broken but together. That matters."

We all nod, emotion thick in the room.