“I always wondered if Thomas told you.”
“He didn’t.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Did you ask him not to?”
“Yes.”
Her answer was immediate.
I appreciated that.
“Why?”
“Because when Lucas was born, Thomas’s father was dying. There were arguments about money. People assumed I wanted something from the family.”
She looked toward her son.
“I wanted Lucas left out of it.”
“And Thomas?”
“He respected that.”
“Even after his father died?”
Elena nodded.
“I should probably have changed my mind sooner.”
There was no accusation in her voice.
Only regret.
I asked about the wheelchair grant.
“Yes,” she said. “Mobility Bridge helped us.”
“Do you still have the chair?”
“No. Lucas outgrew it.”
“Was it new?”
She looked surprised.
“Yes.”
That complicated everything.
“Do you remember who delivered it?”
“A man named Aaron.”
Julian and I exchanged a glance.
“Aaron Pike?”
“I think that was his surname.”
“Did Thomas arrange the grant?”
