Chapter 13
Adria and Callum reached the parking lot.
Adria opened the passenger door.
Callum climbed inside.
Before she closed the door, he looked at her.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Are we still family?”
Adria paused.
The question surprised her.
“Yes.”
“Even after tonight?”
“Yes.”
Callum nodded.
Then he asked,
“What about Grandma?”
Adria leaned against the door.
“Family can make mistakes.”
“Big mistakes?”
“Yes.”
“Can they fix them?”
“Sometimes.”
“How?”
“By taking responsibility.”
Callum thought for a moment.
“Like saying sorry?”
“That's part of it.”
He nodded.
Adria closed the door.
As she walked around the car, she looked back toward the ballroom.
She wondered whether Bernice would actually change.
She couldn't know.
But she knew one thing.
Callum would not be forced to pretend tonight had not happened.
His feelings mattered.
His fear mattered.
His dignity mattered.
She got into the driver's seat.
Callum reached for her hand.
May you like
Adria squeezed it.
Then she started the car.
