"You'll…really go back to work?" Penelope asked hesitantly.
Iris gave her a weak attempt at a smile. "Yes. I suppose anything will be better than sitting around staring out the window. I should probably talk to my department head and start preparing lectures, shouldn't I? It's been so long now that I might be rusty."
"You'll be fine!"
She had been teaching for more than twenty-five years now. Going back would be like riding a bicycle for the first time in a while. You never truly forget how to do it.
Penelope wanted to believe in this other version of her mother but wasn't positive her resolve wouldn't weaken in coming days. She would have to keep checking in on her when she had days off.
When the rainbow nails were finally done, Iris held them up and had the ghost of a smile on her face. She blew on them to try and make them dry faster immediately after but it had still happened, if only for a moment!
