“Oh, that rusty thing? I tossed it. It was disgusting.”
My daughter-in-law said it without even turning around from the coffee maker.
It was a quarter after seven on a Sunday morning in October. I was standing in her bright white kitchen in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in my bathrobe and slippers, holding a bag of flour and a stick of cold butter.
I’d been up since five-thirty. I always am. I’d gone to the stove to make biscuits for everybody, the way I do every single time I visit.
And my skillet wasn’t there.
I’d left it on the back burner the night before. Washed, dried, rubbed with a little Crisco, the way my mother taught me. The way her mother taught her.
“Tossed it?” I said.
“In the garbage. Out by the garage.” Ashley finally turned around. She was wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt that said GOOD VIBES ONLY. “Evelyn, I’m sorry, but it was black and crusty and it smelled like old bacon. I’m not having that thing on my new range. Do you know what that stove cost?”
I knew what that stove cost. My son had told me. Eleven thousand dollars. It had a screen on the front that talked to her phone.
“That skillet was my mother’s,” I said quietly.
“I know. You’ve told us.” Ashley poured her coffee. “But it’s 2026. Nobody cooks in cast iron anymore. There’s a nonstick pan in the drawer by the dishwasher. Use that.”
She walked out of the kitchen with her coffee.
I stood there holding the flour.
My son Greg came down the stairs a minute later in his robe. He’d heard. I could tell by the way he didn’t look at me.
“Mom,” he said. “It’s just a pan.”
I set the flour down on the counter.
I didn’t say a word.
I went back down the hall to the guest room, and I closed the door, and I sat down on the edge of the bed with my hands in my lap.
And I didn’t come out until supper.
Sophia Rivers is an experienced News Content Editor with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for delivering accurate and engaging news stories. At TheArchivists, she specializes in curating, editing, and presenting news content that informs and resonates with a global audience.
Sophia holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Toronto, where she developed her skills in news reporting, media ethics, and digital journalism. Her expertise lies in identifying key stories, crafting compelling narratives, and ensuring journalistic integrity in every piece she edits.
Known for her precision and dedication to the truth, Sophia thrives in the fast-paced world of news editing. At TheArchivists, she focuses on producing high-quality news content that keeps readers informed while maintaining a balanced and insightful perspective.
With a commitment to delivering impactful journalism, Sophia is passionate about bringing clarity to complex issues and amplifying voices that matter. Her work reflects her belief in the power of news to shape conversations and inspire change.