There was a long silence.
Then I ended the call.
And I didn’t feel guilty.
PART FIVE: THE FINAL SURPRISE
Nearly a year after Gary had appeared on my doorstep with his suitcases and golf clubs, Emily invited me
to dinner.
“Mom, Dad will be there,” she said carefully.
I hesitated.
“Is that a problem?”
“No. I just wanted you to know.”
I agreed.
The dinner was at Emily’s house.
Gary arrived alone.
He looked older.
Not dramatically older, but tired. His hair had grown thinner, and his face seemed less confident than I remembered.
He greeted me politely.
“Debbie.”
“Gary.”
We sat across from each other at the table.
For most of the evening, we talked about Emily’s work, her husband, and their plans for the future.
Then,
after dinner, Gary asked if he could speak with me outside.
I agreed.
We stood on the patio beneath the porch lights.
