Chapter 10 - LAURA COMES BACK
Ryan and Laura spoke every night for two weeks.
The first conversations were terrible.
Too much lost time.
Too many accusations neither had actually made.
Ryan asked why Laura had not searched harder for him.
Laura asked why he believed Diane so easily.
Both questions were unfair.
Both were understandable.
Finally Laura said:
“We were kids in the same system, Ryan. We just learned different survival tricks.”
Laura fought.
Ryan appeased.
Diane punished Laura for fighting.
Rewarded Ryan for appeasing.
Then turned the difference between them into proof Laura was the problem.
A month later, Laura flew to Virginia.
Not for Diane.
For Ryan.
They met at a restaurant halfway between his apartment and Emily’s office.
Emily came only for the first few minutes.
She watched two siblings see each other after seven years.
Ryan stood.
Laura stopped.
Neither knew whether to hug.
Then Ryan said:
“I thought you didn’t come to Dad’s funeral because you didn’t care.”
Laura began crying.
“I thought you didn’t want me there.”
That was all it took.
He hugged her.
Seven years could not be repaired in one embrace.
But they could finally stop adding years to the damage.
Laura met Emily properly afterward.
She placed one hand over Emily’s.
“You don’t have to become me.”
Emily smiled sadly.
“I’m hoping Ryan doesn’t become your dad.”
Ryan heard.
May you like
He did not get defensive.
That was progress.
