Chapter 9
The bride walked toward Callum.
She stopped several feet away so she would not frighten him.
“I am sorry,” she said.
Callum looked at her.
“For what?”
“For letting this happen.”
Callum glanced at Adria.
Adria gave him a small nod.
The boy looked back.
“You didn't hit me.”
The bride's eyes filled with tears.
“No.”
Callum nodded.
Then he looked toward Bernice.
She remained motionless.
The bride turned toward her.
“You owe him an apology too.”
Bernice's jaw tightened.
“I…”
The word seemed difficult.
Adria did not demand it.
She simply waited.
Bernice finally looked at Callum.
“I was wrong.”
Callum said nothing.
Bernice continued.
“I should never have hit you.”
The boy looked down.
Adria rested a hand on his shoulder.
Bernice's voice weakened.
“I'm sorry.”
Callum did not respond.
He didn't have to.
Adria thanked the bride and guided him toward the exit.
They had almost reached the doors when Callum stopped.
He turned around.
Adria looked at him.
“What is it?”
Callum stared toward the ballroom.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Grandma thought I took it.”
Adria nodded.
“I know.”
“Why?”
Adria knelt.
“Sometimes people become so convinced they are right that they stop looking at the truth.”
Callum thought about that.
“Even when they're wrong?”
“Especially then.”
He looked at the ballroom one last time.
May you like
Then he took his mother's hand.
They walked out together.
