Chapter 16
Richard died in prison when Grace was two.
Caleb received the call in his office.
He came home early.
I found him in the nursery, sitting on the floor while Grace slept in her crib.
His face was unreadable.
“My father is dead.”
I sat beside him.
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know if I am.”
“That’s okay.”
“He locked me away from Noah’s birth.”
“Yes.”
“He also taught me how to ride a bike.”
“Yes.”
His eyes filled.
“How can both be true?”
I leaned against the crib.
“Because people are not made of one thing. But consequences still count.”
He nodded slowly.
We did not take the children to the funeral.
Caleb went.
I went with him.
Evelyn was not allowed to attend in person, but she sent a letter to be read.
Caleb declined.
At the cemetery, only a few people stood around Richard’s grave.
Power disappears quickly when money stops moving.
Caleb placed one white flower on the casket.
Not forgiveness.
Not hatred.
Goodbye.
On the drive home, he said, “I don’t want Noah to ever wonder which version of me is coming home.”
I took his hand.
“Then keep being the same man in every room.”
He squeezed my fingers.
“I’m trying.”
“I know.”
That night, Noah asked why Daddy was sad.
Caleb lifted him onto his lap.
“My dad died.”
Noah touched his face.
“Was he nice?”
Caleb looked at me.
Then answered carefully.
“Sometimes. But he also hurt people.”
Noah frowned.
“Did he say sorry?”
“Not enough.”
Noah thought about that.
Then hugged him.
“You say sorry lots.”
May you like
Caleb cried into our son’s hair.
So did I.
