At a private Mafia jewelry preview, four-year-old Noah proudly approached his father with a handmade paper flower.
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Chapter 13 / 17
Chapter 13
Grant eventually saw Noah again.
Eight months later.
Public garden.
Isabella present.
I did not attend.
Important.
This relationship did not need Mafia supervision forever.
Noah ran toward him.
Then stopped halfway.
Memory.
Grant crouched.
Did not reach.
Good.
Noah asked:
“You mad?”
“No.”
“You hit Mommy?”
Grant’s face broke.
“Yes.”
“Bad.”
“Yes.”
Then Noah said:
“Don’t.”
“I won’t.”
No hug at first.
Five minutes later Noah handed him a paper flower.
New one.
No crest.
Bright blue paper.
Grant cried.
Noah looked confused.
“Why sad?”
May you like
“Because I’m happy.”
Children tolerate adult contradictions better than we deserve.
