Chapter 19
Daniel wrote letters.
At first, I threw them away.
Then Thomas asked if he could decide.
With his therapist, he read one.
Only one.
Daniel apologized.
For fear.
For violence.
For becoming Richard.
For hurting Nick.
For making Thomas feel responsible.
Thomas folded the letter carefully.
“I don’t want to write back.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Maybe when I’m older.”
“Maybe.”
He looked at me.
“Do you forgive him?”
I answered honestly.
“Not in a way that lets him near us.”
Thomas nodded.
“I think I forgive him like closing a door.”
“That makes sense.”
Nick, visiting that winter, said, “I forgive nobody before lunch.”
Thomas laughed.
The boys grew.
Thirteen.
Fourteen.
Fifteen.
Nick stayed with Teresa but spent every summer with us.
Thomas got taller than me.
Rude.
Safe Table became a registered nonprofit.
Elise handled paperwork.
Luis became program director.
Renee joined the board.
Marianne donated Caleb’s life insurance settlement after Richard’s conviction.
We named the youth room after him.
Caleb’s Room.
A place for children who protect others too early.
At the opening, Thomas placed Nick’s old cracked phone in a display case.
Nick protested.
“That thing is embarrassing.”
Thomas said, “That thing saved my life.”
Nick went quiet.
May you like
Then nodded.
“Fine. But clean the screen.”
