Chapter 14
Six months after the gala, Elliot agreed to see Victoria.
Mason came too.
The meeting happened inside the children’s gallery with the therapist nearby.
Victoria wore no dramatic jewelry.
No formal gown.
She sat on a small bench designed for parents waiting during workshops.
Elliot held the drummer.
Mason stood beside his mother.
Victoria spoke first.
“I was mean to you.”
Elliot looked at her.
“I threw the drink on you.”
“Yes.”
“I pushed you.”
“Yes.”
“And I said something belonged to Mason when I knew it had come from your house.”
Elliot looked down at the drummer.
“Mommy gave me.”
“I know.”
Victoria’s voice broke slightly.
“I was angry at your mommy for something she didn't do.”
Elliot frowned.
“Mommy dead.”
“Yes.”
That simple statement made Victoria close her eyes.
She had spent years fighting a woman who could not defend herself.
When she opened them again:
“That made what I did worse.”
Elliot thought for a while.
Then asked:
“Why?”
Victoria could have blamed Preston.
Rocco watched her make the choice.
“Because I was jealous.”
No adult had prepared Elliot for that word.
He looked toward Rocco.
“What jealous?”
Rocco answered:
“When somebody is unhappy because they think another person has something they should have.”
Elliot considered Victoria.
“You wanted my drummer?”
Victoria almost laughed.
“No.”
Then she realized, in a way, the answer was yes.
Not the toy.
What it represented.
Celeste’s place.
Rocco’s love.
The museum’s memory.
Belonging.
“I wanted things that weren't mine.”
Elliot held the drummer tighter.
Then Mason spoke.
“I don't want his stuff.”
Victoria looked at her son.
“I know.”
Mason walked toward Elliot.
“Can we play with the puppets?”
Elliot nodded.
The boys ran toward the small stage.
Victoria watched them.
Rocco said quietly:
“That’s enough for today.”
She nodded.
No hug.
No forced forgiveness.
May you like
No declaration that the family was healed.
Just enough truth for one room.
