Chapter 16
The old column stayed in the garden.
I considered removing it.
Elliot said no.
Why?
“It holds lights.”
True.
Garden staff had wrapped string lights around it for summer evenings.
He no longer saw only the chain.
Good.
I did remove the iron ring at its base.
Not ceremonially.
Grounds crew cut it off because it had no purpose.
The metal went to scrap.
No plaque.
No melted keepsake.
Just gone.
Julian replaced the trellis.
Agatha stopped hosting “discipline afternoons.”
Dr. Mercer eventually wrote me.
He had left private family medicine.
Moved into general practice.
His letter did not ask forgiveness.
It said:
I confused access to the family with duty to the patient.
Accurate.
I never responded.
Some lessons do not need relationship.
Elliot grew.
His monitor changed.
His confidence changed faster.
At eight, he joined a beginner soccer team after cardiology clearance.
Agatha nearly objected.
Then caught herself.
Good.
At his first game, he spent more time looking at clouds than the ball.
Terrible athlete.
Happy child.
Afterward Agatha handed him water.
She asked first.
“Want some?”
He nodded.
She gave it.
Simple.
I watched from several feet away.
No one else knew why my throat tightened.
May you like
That was fine.
Healing does not need witnesses either.
