February 11, 2026 #yes

I had been thinking about their answers all week.
About Joe talking about faith.
About Lionel talking about love.
About Donna talking about forgiveness.
About Catalina talking about still caring.
About Sally admitting God whispers.
It stayed with me.
—- A few days later at 3:47 a.m., Coco screeched like he had just seen a ghost.
Which, technically, he had.
He launched himself off the bed, claws scrambling, knocking over my water glass in protest.
I sat straight up.
What is it now?
And there they were.
All of them.
Standing quietly.
No chaos.
No commentary.
No arguing.
Just… present.
We didn’t mean to scare him, Joe said quickly.
Catalina whispered, He’s dramatic.
Sally crossed her arms. He’s intuitive.
Lionel smiled gently. He sensed the conversation.
I rubbed my eyes.
You’re all very calm. That makes me nervous.
Donna stepped closer.
We’ve been thinking too, she said.
I waited.
Sally cleared her throat.
For once, no sarcasm.
No theatrics.
Just honesty.
Darling… she said quietly. Are you happy?
The room went still.
Catalina froze.
Joe held his breath.
Lionel watched me with soft eyes.
Even Coco stopped licking his paw.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Then I smiled.
A lot more than I used to be, I said.
Joe relaxed.
That’s good, he murmured.
In ways I didn’t expect, I added. In quiet ways. In ordinary ways.
Catalina nodded.
Low-key happiness hits different.
I laughed.
Some days I’m tired, I admitted. Some days I’m unsure. Some days I miss my old life -my ‘old’ people. Some days I miss my son so much it feels physical.
Donna reached for Joe’s hand.
But most days, I continued, I feel… held. By God. By my children and grandchild. By my purpose. By all of you.
Sally looked away first.
Well, she sniffed. That’s inconveniently touching.
Lionel smiled.
That sounds like peace, he said.
I shrugged.
It feels like learning how to breathe again.
No one rushed to speak.
We just sat there.
Breathing.
Being.
The night softened.
Outside, the first hint of morning stretched across the sky.
Coco climbed back onto the bed and curled against my side like nothing had happened.
Sally finally stood.
All right, she said. Emotional check-in complete.
Catalina grinned.
Ten-ten. Would recommend.
Joe smiled at me.
We’re proud of you, he said simply.
And one by one, they faded.
Not suddenly.
Not sadly.
Just… peacefully.
I lay back down.
Heart full.
And for once, I knew the answer.
Yes.

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