Chapter 20 - Mark and Lily
Lily saw Mark first.
Supervised park visit.
She ran to him.
I watched from far enough not to interfere.
Mark hugged her.
Cried.
Then controlled himself.
Good.
Lily asked:
“Do you want Kevin?”
Mark blinked.
“What?”
“Boy.”
Her imaginary brother.
Mark looked toward therapist.
Then answered:
“I used to think having a boy mattered more than it should.”
“Do you want one?”
“I’m not having more children.”
“Why?”
“Because Mom and I are not married together anymore.”
Close enough.
Then:
“Do you like girls now?”
His face broke.
“I always loved you.”
Lily frowned.
“That’s not same.”
She had inherited Emma’s precision.
Mark laughed sadly.
“No. It’s not.”
Then:
“I believe girls can carry a family just as much as boys.”
“Carry where?”
Children.
Mark smiled.
“I mean belong, inherit things, lead companies, keep names, change names—whatever they choose.”
Lily considered.
“Can I own dinosaurs?”
“Yes.”
May you like
Good.
No ideological lecture needed.
