Chapter 18 - THE APOLOGY AT THE VOLCANO TABLE
Noah agreed to see Robert the following spring.
The meeting took place at the science museum café. Noah chose the location because there were exits, security guards, and a large mechanical volcano that erupted every hour. Dr. Brooks said children often select safety without using adult words for it.
Robert arrived early and bought nothing until we came.
He stood when Noah approached but did not open his arms.
“Hi, Noah.”
“Hi.”
They sat across from each other. I remained beside my son. Lauren and the twins visited a different exhibit, close enough to join us later but not close enough to turn the meeting into a reunion.
Robert brought no gift.
“I’m sorry I didn’t protect you at Bellini’s,” he said. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you before Bellini’s too.”
Noah watched the mechanical volcano behind him.
“Why did Grandma hate my mom?”
Robert’s face tightened.
“She did not like that your mother would not obey her.”
“Did you like Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell Grandma?”
“Not enough.”
The answer seemed to satisfy Noah more than a long explanation would have.
“Do you still live with her?”
“No.”
“Because of me?”
“No. Because I should have stopped accepting things that were wrong before you were born.”
The volcano began rumbling.
Red lights moved beneath the artificial rocks. Children gathered near the railing.
Noah looked at Robert.
“Grandma said I broke the family.”
“You didn’t.”
“Did Dad?”
“No.”
“Who did?”
Robert glanced toward me.
“Adults kept choosing comfort instead of fairness until the family could not hold the weight.”
Noah considered that.
Then the volcano erupted.
Steam rose toward the ceiling. Younger children screamed happily. Robert flinched at the sudden sound, and Noah laughed.
It was the first time I heard my son laugh in my father’s presence without checking Margaret’s face.
Lauren and the twins joined us afterward. Chloe gave Noah a new science notebook. Paige asked whether he wanted to see the dinosaur exhibit. He said yes but told her he wanted ten more minutes with Grandpa first.
Robert’s eyes filled.
He looked toward me, perhaps expecting permission to feel hopeful.
I gave him none.
He returned his attention to Noah.
That mattered.
At the end of the meeting, Robert asked, “Would you like to do this again?”
Noah hesitated.
“Maybe.”
Robert nodded.
“Maybe is enough.”
As we walked away, Noah slipped his hand into mine.
“Grandpa is different.”
“He is behaving differently.”
“Isn’t that the same?”
“Sometimes. If it lasts.”
Noah looked back once.
May you like
Robert remained seated at the café table, paying for his own coffee.
He did not follow.
