Chapter 7 - RICHARD COMES BACK ALONE
Richard returned at midnight.
Without Linda.
Emma almost told the nurse not to let him in.
Then she saw his face.
He looked older.
“Five minutes.”
He sat.
For a while, he said nothing.
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
Emma turned toward the window.
Chicago lights reflected against the ICU glass.
“Which part?”
He flinched.
“The whole thing.”
“That’s not an answer.”
He looked at his hands.
“I knew Tyler had been drinking.”
“You let him leave.”
“I offered him a room.”
“You watched him take my keys.”
Richard looked up.
“You saw that?”
“I remember enough.”
He did not deny it.
“Why didn’t you stop him?”
Richard swallowed.
“Because every time I confront him, your mother—”
Emma laughed.
Pain shot through her ribs.
She stopped.
“Dad, you’re sixty-three.”
“I know.”
“You are blaming Mom for you not stopping your drunk son from stealing my car.”
Richard closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
That answer surprised her.
Not because it excused him.
Because he finally heard himself.
Then he said:
“Your mother called Tyler’s lawyer before calling 911.”
Emma stared.
Richard continued.
“I didn’t know until tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why should I believe you?”
He had no answer.
May you like
That was fair.
Trust was now another casualty requiring its own investigation.
