Chapter 14
Francesca lost access to the grandchildren for nine months.
Then Caleb asked to see her.
His choice.
We met in the garden.
She looked smaller.
Not physically.
Authority had stopped entering the room before her.
Caleb sat across from her.
“Why did you tie me?”
Straight.
She answered:
“Because I thought I needed to prove you would always need Mason.”
“Why?”
“Because I was scared people would hurt you.”
He frowned.
“You hurt me.”
There.
Nothing I could have added would improve it.
Francesca cried.
“Yes.”
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
Caleb asked:
“Do you still think Mason is my boss?”
“No.”
“Do you think Mom is my boss?”
Francesca almost smiled.
“No.”
Caleb thought.
“Mom kind of is sometimes.”
I stared.
He grinned.
Humor.
Good.
Then he became serious again.
“I choose who helps me.”
Francesca nodded.
May you like
“Yes.”
That was the sentence she needed to learn.
