CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
RHETT
Month Nine
My father comes to Stoneharbor.
I meet him in a public cafe near the harbor. Nora offers to come and waits for me to decide.
"I need to do the first hour alone," I say. "Would you be available after?"
"Yes."
The man who enters is smaller than memory. Gray hair, worn coat, hands that resemble mine. For years, I imagined punching him, forgiving him, ignoring him.
Instead, I stand.
"Hello, Daniel."
He flinches at his name.
We speak for an hour.
He tells me about drinking, unstable jobs, shame, and the years he watched my career from a distance. He apologizes without asking me to say it was all right. When he begins explaining that he thought leaving protected us, I stop him.
"You have told me why," I say. "Now tell me what you understand it cost."
He looks down.
Then he tries.
Not perfectly. Honestly enough to continue another day.
When the hour ends, Nora enters the cafe. I stand and meet her near the door.
"Do you want to leave?" she asks.
"Not yet. Will you sit with me?"
"Yes."
I introduce them.
Daniel looks at Nora with visible shame. "I saw what happened. I am sorry for what my leaving taught him."
Nora takes her time answering. "Rhett is responsible for what he did with that lesson. He is also responsible for unlearning it."
"He seems to be."
"Yes."
Her hand finds mine beneath the table.
She does not rescue me from the conversation.
She joins me in it.
After Daniel leaves, I stand outside in cold wind and shake.
Nora asks before touching me.
I say yes.
She holds me while the harbor moves behind us.
"I didn't forgive him," I say.
"You did not have to."
"I may someday."
"You are allowed."
For once, the future contains no command.