Chapter 18

Years passed.
Caleb grew tall and quiet.
Emma stayed dramatic in the best way.
Mr. Harrison became a better father because shame forced him to look closely.
He went to therapy.
Anger management.
Parenting classes.
He never raised his hand again.
At least, that is what the children told me.
I believed them because they had learned the cost of silence early.
Vanessa wrote letters from prison.
I read none.
Alicia kept them.
May you like
Then shredded them when the legal period ended.
Some doors do not need reopening.