Chapter 22 - RICHARD COMES HOME
Richard was seventy-eight when he completed custody and supervision.
Older.
Slower.
No company authority.
He moved into a modest house with Helen.
He requested one meeting with Ethan.
Ethan was fifteen.
“Your choice.”
“I want you there.”
So I went.
Richard sat across from him.
No gifts.
Good.
Ethan asked:
“If you could redo my birthday, what would you do?”
Richard answered:
“Take the bicycle away.”
“Then?”
“Tell your parents why.”
“Would you apologize for ruining my birthday?”
“Yes.”
“Would you still tell me not to cry?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Richard swallowed.
“Because being frightened by a fall does not make a boy weak.”
Ethan nodded.
Then:
“Did you know Daddy would break your window?”
Richard almost smiled.
“I suspected he’d do something stupid.”
I said:
“Accurate.”
Ethan laughed.
May you like
So did Richard.
That was the first time all three of us shared laughter without pretending the old act was funny.
