Chapter 14
Mara arrived twenty minutes early.
Enzo arrived ten minutes early.
Neither had planned to see the other first.
They met in the hallway outside the family room.
Mara stopped.
So did Enzo.
She wore jeans, a navy sweater, and no jewelry except her wedding ring.
Enzo noticed immediately.
Then hated himself for noticing.
Mara noticed his stare.
“I never took it off.”
He said nothing.
“That doesn’t mean what you want it to mean.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
She studied him.
“Good.”
Dr. Grant opened the door before either could say something worse.
Lily was waiting inside with Greta.
The first reunion was nothing like the dramatic moment Enzo had imagined.
Lily became shy.
Mara crouched several feet away.
Neither moved.
Mara smiled through tears.
“Hi, Lily.”
Lily stared at her.
“You have brown hair.”
Mara laughed and cried at the same time.
“I do.”
“Daddy said.”
“I’m glad he remembered.”
Lily looked at Enzo.
Then back at Mara.
“Did you write all the letters?”
“Yes.”
“Every one?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Mara’s voice broke.
“Because I love you.”
Lily walked forward.
Slowly.
Then handed Mara the oldest envelope.
“I saved this.”
Mara covered her mouth.
Lily finally hugged her.
Enzo turned away.
Not because he was ashamed of crying.
Because the moment did not belong to him.
Over the next hour, Lily showed Mara drawings.
Asked questions.
Forgot half of them.
Played with blocks.
Returned for another hug.
Ordinary things.
Before leaving, Mara knelt again.
“I’m going to see you again.”
Lily looked toward Enzo.
He hated that she needed confirmation.
So he gave it.
“Yes.”
Mara looked at him.
He nodded.
No one would intercept this promise.
No one would reinterpret it.
May you like
No one would route it through family.
The next visit was scheduled before they left the building.
