Chapter 13 - The Day My Grandmother Returned to the BasementOne year later, Grandma asked me to take her back to the old house.
I didn't understand why.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
The house had been sold.
But the new owner allowed us to visit.
We stood outside the basement.
Grandma stared at the door.
Her hands trembled.
I reached for her.
“You don't have to go inside.”
“I know.”
She opened the door.
The room was empty.
The cot was gone.
The broken window had been repaired.
Sunlight entered through the glass.
Grandma stood there silently.
Then she smiled.
“It looks smaller.”
“It always was.”
She touched the wall.
“I thought this room was the end of my life.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“What was it?”
“The beginning.”
She looked at me.
“Of what?”
“Freedom.”
Grandma hugged me.
May you like
Then we walked out.
We never returned.
