Athena 08 - What a Dessert ...

Wednesday early evening.

Athena is driving home.

She will be slightly late
for the important family dinner.

This is the dinner date

they agreed on
after Julia said on Sunday:

“Mom, you don’t engage me.

You can’t.”

Athena left the office too late.

And now she is in a hurry.

She had an excellent meeting with Mary.

They made so much progress.

Athena understands more clearly now

that the same issue plays out
at the office

as it does at home.

…

While driving, Athena reviews

the events of the last days.

She realizes she is the one

who needs to change.

To adapt.

And, most importantly,

to let go.

Athena stops the car

one block before home.

She pauses.

Breathes deeply.

Sees the moon appearing

from behind the clouds.

Athena smiles.

She feels the family dinner
will be good.

She visualizes it.

…

“Hey, dears, I am home,”

Athena says enthusiastically.

Julia looks at her and says:

“Yes, but you are late again.”

Athena smiles.

“You are right.

I am.”

…

She sees the table
set beautifully.

Victor, her husband,

invites everyone to sit down.

Julia and Maynard

do not bring their phones
to the table.

Athena notices.

Victor must have spoken to them.

…

Athena feels calm
and at peace.

She decides she will open up

during dessert.

When the time is right.

…

After dinner, she begins.

“I have been thinking a lot about us.

I always do.

But this was different.”

She looks at her children.

Julia and Maynard are waiting

for what will come next.

…

“Julia—and you too, Maynard—

you opened my eyes.

I realize now
that I am the one

who needs to change.

I cannot continue.

I do not want to continue

trying to arrange everything

for everyone.”

Victor smiles.

Without words,

he encourages her to continue.

…

Athena looks for a moment
towards the garden.

It is almost spring.

There is freshness in the air.

And she feels the same.

…

She extends her hands.

They are sitting in a circle now,

around the table,

holding hands.

…

Athena feels her emotions.

“I would like to understand.

What would a good family life

look like for each of you?”

She pauses.

…

Julia and Maynard look surprised.

“Doing what we want.

Can that be?”

Maynard jokes.

“Feeling that you take us seriously.

That you listen to us.

That you try to understand

without having your opinion ready…

that would be a major step forward.”

Julia answers.

She looks expectantly at Athena.

Waiting for her reaction.

…

Athena looks at Victor.

Then she continues.

“You know what I learned this week?

The true meaning

of dialogue.

‘Thinking together.’

I would like us to do

more of that together.

And find the best way

for our family

and for each one of us.”

…

“How can we best start?”

Victor brings the question
to the table.

All eyes are on Athena.

She remembers

what she learned with Mary
this week.

…

“How about this Sunday

we talk about what

each one of us feels
and thinks about:

How we want our family to be.

How we want it to feel.

How we want it to function

in three months’ time.

What would be different from now?

What would we be doing more of?

What would we do less of?

And what small steps

could we take

in the week after Sunday?”

…

“That is a lot,”
Maynard mumbles.

“You are right,”
Athena says.

“We will talk about this often.

But…

shall we make a start?”

“I love it, Mom.”

Julia’s enthusiasm appears.

“It will be great
to see you listen.”

Victor laughs, relieved.

He had been concerned.

Wondered if this dinner

would bring what it could.

Oh yes.

It did.

…

A little later,

Athena sits quietly
in the garden.

It is a peaceful evening.

The moon is bright now.

Then Athena takes Victor’s hand
and says:

“What an incredible dessert
we created together.”

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