Chapter 19 - HOLLIS AS A FATHER
Hollis became better slowly.
That mattered more than dramatic remorse.
He paid child support.
Showed up.
Read school emails.
Attended therapy when invited.
Did not ask Fletcher to hide anything from me.
Never brought Lenora to visits.
Never used gifts to compete with Noah.
At thirteen, Fletcher told him:
“I don’t want to go to Sutton Christmas.”
Hollis answered:
“Okay.”
No guilt.
No:
Family is family.
At fourteen:
“I want to go for one hour.”
Hollis arranged one hour.
They left on time.
That was change.
Hollis never returned to Sutton Hospitality.
He rose at the unrelated restaurant group.
Eventually COO.
He earned the title without his mother’s temporary vote.
I was happy for him.
From a distance.
Once, at Fletcher’s high-school graduation, Hollis stood beside me.
“Noah coming?”
“Parking.”
Hollis smiled.
“He’s terrible at parking.”
“You’re terrible at consent forms.”
He laughed.
Then got quiet.
“I deserved that.”
“It was a joke.”
“I know.”
We could joke now because he no longer needed every reference to the past softened.
Fletcher graduated.
Hugged both of us.
Then Noah.
May you like
No ranking.
Good.
