PART 5
Those twenty minutes felt longer than the six months before them.
Mom sat at the table.
Silent.
Sophie stayed beside her.
I paced.
At one point, I asked.
“Do you want Sophie upstairs?”
Mom shook her head.
“No.”
Then looked at her granddaughter.
“Unless you want to go.”
Sophie said.
“I’m staying.”
Mom nodded.
Good.
Nobody forced her.
Daniel arrived at 8:39.
He did not knock immediately.
We saw his headlights.
Then the engine shut off.
A full minute passed.
Finally, he walked toward the porch.
No briefcase.
Obviously.
He looked older than he had that morning.
Mom opened the door before he knocked.
Daniel froze when he saw the briefcase on the table behind her.
Then he looked at Sophie.
His face changed.
Not anger.
Shame.
He walked inside.
Mom said.
“Sit.”
He sat.
Nobody offered coffee.
Nobody asked how he was.
Mom remained standing.
Then said.
“Start with the truth.”
Daniel looked down.
“My wife has advanced Alzheimer’s.”
Mom’s face tightened.
He continued.
“She has been living at Willow Creek for almost three years.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He closed his eyes.
“Because I was afraid you would leave.”
Mom laughed bitterly.
“So you lied.”
“Yes.”
“That is your explanation?”
“No.”
“It is the reason.”
“Not an excuse.”
At least he knew the difference.
