Estee wondered if it was strange how much she enjoyed her mother in-law’s company

D

ovid placed two water bottles in the cup holder and adjusted his mirror. Golda watched him; she could feel the smile playing on her lips.

How many times have they been in this exact position? Him adjusting the seat back from where she’d left it after a grocery run, her checking for mascara smudges in the dropdown mirror? Hundreds, no doubt. Hundreds of thousands of tiny moments that make up a lifetime together.

She was a lucky woman, she knew that. There had been heartbreaks over the past 40 years together. Disappointments, disagreements, even fights and regrettable words. But at the end, there he was, strong, steady, at her side, placing a water bottle near her in case she was thirsty.

He coughed, ran the back of his hand over his eyes, and then looked at her.

“Why are you smiling?” he asked, shifting gear.

The smile burst out from where it had been playing shy. “I guess I’m excited,” she said. “New beginnings and all that. Also, to see the kids.”

Dovid nodded. “Big changes,” he said

She felt bad he wasn’t excited like she was, but she was pretty sure he’d get there one day. At least she hoped so. She so badly wanted him to. She never enjoyed things as much if she knew he wasn’t enjoying it along with her.