Her son approached slowly and placed a hand on her arm, firm but hesitant, preventing her from moving down the hall where cheerful voices and laughter drifted out of an open doorway. His eyes flicked toward the room and then back to her face.
“Mom, we need to talk first,” he said quietly. “Please understand. The birth was difficult, and Rachel is very emotional. She asked that only her immediate family be with her for now.”
Rosa frowned, confusion knitting her brows. “I am immediate family. I am his grandmother. I traveled all night just to hold him for a moment. I will not stay long. I just want to give her the blanket.”
Jonathan swallowed hard and looked at the floor. “I know, Mom. I tried to explain that.” He hesitated, then continued in a rush, “Her parents and sisters are in the room. She says she feels safest with them. She asked me to tell you not to take it personally.”
Rosa opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Jonathan added, his voice barely above a whisper, “She says you make her anxious. She has never really wanted you around.”
The words landed with a dull, brutal weight.
