Months passed, and the peach trees began producing beautiful fruit. I helped organize the farm, welcomed visitors, and worked with Hattie to prepare a small community event. My teachers noticed my improvement, and I was making progress toward graduation. My recovery wasn’t perfect, but I was learning to recognize my progress.
Then Hattie suggested inviting my family to the farm’s opening celebration. I hesitated, remembering all those Saturdays when they had sent me away. But she reminded me that inviting someone didn’t mean accepting their past behavior. I eventually sent them invitations. I didn’t know whether they would come, but I was finally proud of the person I was becoming.
