Chapter 14 - Lily Asked The Only Question Nobody Had Prepared For
Friday morning, Daniel drove Helen to the hospital.
Miles was already there.
Neither brother commented on that.
Helen came through the procedure fine.
By afternoon she was complaining about hospital coffee.
Daniel almost laughed when Miles said:
“You spent nineteen years not speaking to her and the first thing you still agree on is coffee.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Don't get comfortable.”
Miles nodded.
Fair.
I brought Lily after Helen had rested.
Daniel had asked whether I thought that was okay.
I asked Lily.
She said yes.
Inside the room, Helen smiled.
Lily stopped at the door.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did they cut you?”
Helen looked at me.
I covered my mouth.
“Lily.”
“What?”
Helen laughed.
“A little.”
“Cool.”
Children improve hospitals by refusing euphemism.
Miles stayed against the far wall.
Lily saw him.
“Hi, Uncle Miles.”
Daniel stiffened.
Only slightly.
Miles answered:
“Hi.”
No one exploded.
Helen looked at Daniel.
He looked away.
Later, when Lily and I were walking to the elevator, she asked:
“Saturday is the last time at Grandma’s house?”
“Yes.”
“Dad coming?”
“I think so.”
“Uncle Miles?”
“Yes.”
She sighed.
“What?”
“Why do you guys keep putting people in separate rooms?”
I smiled despite myself.
“Complicated.”
She hated that word.
“I know.”
Then she stopped.
“Can I ask something?”
“Always.”
“Who decided Grandma was bad?”
I did not answer.
She continued.
“Dad says he thought Uncle Miles hurt her. Grandma says Grandpa grabbed her. Uncle Miles says everybody was fighting. You said you didn't know any of them.”
I waited.
“So who was bad?”
I crouched.
“I don't think that question has one answer.”
She frowned.
“That’s annoying.”
“Yes.”
“Was Dad bad at the restaurant?”
“He behaved badly.”
“Are you bad because you lied?”
That one landed.
“I made a bad choice.”
“Grandma?”
“Some.”
“Uncle Miles?”
“Yes.”
“Grandpa?”
“Yes.”
She thought.
“Then why did everyone spend so long picking one person?”
I almost gave her an explanation.
Stopped.
“I don't know.”
She accepted that.
Then:
“Do I have to forgive Dad for yelling?”
“No.”
Her face changed.
“Do I have to stay mad?”
“No.”
That answer she liked.
When we got home, Daniel was sitting on the front steps.
He had checked out of the hotel.
His suitcase was in his car.
Not inside.
I sat beside him.
“How was Lily?”
“Smarter than us.”
“Low bar.”
We both smiled.
Then he became serious.
“I want to come back.”
I looked at the suitcase.
“To the house?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He frowned.
“Because I live here.”
“Daniel.”
He sighed.
“I miss you.”
I waited.
“And Lily.”
“Yes.”
“And I’m tired of waking up in a hotel room feeling like I’m waiting for someone else to decide whether we’re married.”
That sounded like him.
I looked at the driveway.
“I’m still angry.”
“I know.”
“I don't trust that if I disagree with you about Helen, you won't shut down.”
“I don't trust that you won’t decide around me again.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“So?”
“I don't know.”
He looked almost relieved.
“Okay.”
I laughed.
“You like that answer now?”
“Apparently.”
We sat another minute.
Then Daniel asked:
“Can I bring the suitcase inside without that meaning everything is fixed?”
I looked at him.
“Yes.”
He stood.
Then stopped.
“Claire.”
“What?”
“When Miles appears Saturday, I might leave.”
“Okay.”
“I might not.”
“Okay.”
“I don't want you to stop me.”
“I won't.”
“I also don't want you to make Lily follow me.”
“I won't.”
May you like
He nodded.
For once, we had managed to discuss an exit before anyone used one.
