Chapter 20 - SILAS AND THE TREE
My diversion completed.
Charge dismissed under program terms.
Depending law, record could still exist for some purposes.
I did not call myself exonerated.
I threw the reindeer.
Silas and I met once after no-contact expired.
Public café.
Lawyers not necessary anymore.
He had divorced Clara.
Their marriage had been deteriorating before Christmas.
The litigation accelerated honesty.
He said:
“I deserved an apology.”
“You got one.”
“I know.”
“And Josephine deserved one.”
“I gave one.”
He had.
A card:
I laughed at you because I wanted adults to laugh with me. That was cruel. I’m sorry.
Josephine barely remembered him by then.
She was six.
Silas asked:
“Do you still think about throwing it?”
“Yes.”
“Would you again?”
“No.”
“Good.”
He smiled.
“Because I’m faster now.”
I laughed despite myself.
Then serious.
“You helped Robert.”
“Yes.”
“You knew some things were wrong.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Northstar was my entire adult life.”
“Not an answer.”
He looked down.
“Because being favored felt good.”
Honest.
He had worked hard.
Also benefited from hierarchy.
Both.
He remained at Northstar another five years then left to start a logistics consultancy.
May you like
No grand punishment.
People continue.
