They were just days away from finalizing their divorce. If Grandma moved in now, she''d be trapped here even after they were legally separated, forced to continue this charade. Did he really not want to get divorced? But if that were true, why had he made her sign the papers in the first ce? And why hadn''t he withdrawn the application?


    A sense of unease settled over her. For the past couple of days, she''d had a nagging feeling that she was forgetting something important.


    "Oh, Grandma won''t get in the way of you young people," Grandma said, waving a hand dismissively. "You need your own space; I understand that." She then pulled a small, blessed token from her purse and handed it to Hannah. "Grandma got this for you from the church. The father said you two will have a child soon. I''m just waiting to hold my great-grandchild."


    The words hung in the sudden silence of the dining room.


    Hannah forced a smile and nodded, gently cing the token back in Grandma''s bag. She knew how much Grandma wanted a great-grandchild. Right after they were married, she had pleaded with Lionel to stay, to build a life with her. But his response had been brutal.


    ''You and I will never have children. Don''t you ever think you can carry my child!''


    She could still hear the disgust and contempt in his voice, as if she were unworthy of him, unworthy of being a mother to his children. That one sentence had built a wall inside her. Now, any time Lionel got even remotely close, his words would echo in her mind.


    Back then, she wasn''t worthy. Now, she simply wasn''t willing.


    "Grandma, it''s gettingte. We should eat," Hannah said, signaling for the food to be brought out.


    As Cora served the dishes, Grandma''s eyes lingered on the unfamiliar young woman. "I don''t believe I''ve seen her before."


    "That''s Lily''s daughter,” Hannah exined. "When Lily broke her arm, her daughter filled in for her. Lionel thought she did a good job, so he kept her on."


    Grandma nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Well, as it happens, I''m in need of someone young and capable. Since she''s Oly''s daughter, she must know the ropes. She cane with me when I leave tonight."


    At those words, Cora''s hands trembled, and the te she was holding slipped, crashing to the floor with a loud shatter.


    Grandma''s brow furrowed.


    "Madam, my daughter has only been here a short time," Lily cried, rushing forward. "She doesn''t know all the rules yet and she''s very clumsy don''t think she''s qualified to serve, you? She shot Cora a fierce look "What are you waiting for? Clean this up!" Then, turning back with a strained smile, she added, “You see, madam? The girl is all thumbs. She really isn''t suitable."


    "She''s right, Grandma," Hannah chimed in. "She''s clumsy and not very bright. What if she identally upsets you? It''s better if she stays here with us."


    Cora, kneeling on the floor to pick up the broken pieces, bristled at Hannah''s insult. But the fact that Hannah was arguing for her to stay eased some of the sting.


    "But she''s still so young," Grandma insisted, looking skeptical. "It makes me uneasy."


    "What''s there to be uneasy about?" Hannah replied smoothly. "Or do you think Lionel is that kind of man?"