Of course.
Always.
Don’t worry.
It’s fine.
She withdrew her hand.
“Someday, maybe.”
Daniel nodded slowly.
It hurt him.
Barbara allowed it to hurt.
For once, she did not rush to rescue someone from the pain caused by hurting her.
Harper stared at the floor.
Richard was calling someone—probably an attorney.
Catherine sat frozen.
Alan packed his documents.
Barbara walked to the balcony.
The sun had begun sinking into the Gulf.
Orange light stretched across the water.
She heard footsteps behind her.
Catherine.
“I’m sorry,” Catherine whispered.
Barbara turned.
“For what?”
“I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.”
Catherine glanced toward Harper.
“I should have questioned things.”
Barbara gave her a sad smile.
“So should I.”
Catherine looked at the iron table.
“Harper told us Daniel owned this place.”
Barbara nodded.
“She lies confidently.”
Catherine laughed unexpectedly.
It sounded almost like a sob.
“She gets that from her father.”
They stood together for several seconds.
Then Catherine said, “I think I’ll get a hotel.”
Barbara smiled.
“I think that would be best.”
Catherine hesitated.
“Would you like to have breakfast tomorrow?”
Barbara considered it.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Behind them, Harper heard.
“You’re staying here?” she demanded.
Catherine looked at her daughter.
“No.”
“But—”
“I’m getting a hotel.”
“What about Dad?”
Catherine turned toward Richard.
For the first time that evening, Richard looked afraid of his wife.
“I don’t know where your father is staying.”
Richard stared at her.
“Catherine.”
She removed her wedding ring.
And placed it on Barbara’s iron table.
Everyone froze.
Catherine looked at the ring as if she had never seen it before.
Then she said, “Apparently I have a consulting company.
Perhaps I should go find out what else I own.”
Barbara laughed.
She couldn’t help it.
Catherine started laughing too.
Within seconds, both women were laughing with tears on their faces while their families watched in stunned silence.
The absurdity of it all was overwhelming.
But the final surprise came three months later.
By then, Richard was facing federal bank-fraud charges and Catherine had filed for divorce.
Harper and Daniel had separated.
Daniel sold their enormous house, repaid what he could, and moved into a modest rental near Lucy’s school.
For the first time in years, he started attending therapy.
He called Barbara every Sunday.
Not for money.
Not because he needed anything.
Just to talk.
Barbara never pretended everything had been repaired.
Some things should not be repaired quickly.
Lucy knew almost nothing about the trust.
Alan had insisted it stay that way until she was older.
She only knew her grandfather had “planned something for her education.”
And Barbara returned to Ohio expecting life to become quiet again.
Then, in early November, Alan called.
“There’s one more envelope.”
Barbara nearly dropped the phone.
“You’re joking.”
“I wish I were.”
She flew to Florida three days later.
Alan met her at the condo.
He handed her a smaller envelope.
Robert’s handwriting appeared once again.
Barbara,
If you’re reading this one, the auditors have completed their review.
There’s something I never told anyone.
Not you.
Not Daniel.
Not Alan until the final year of my life.
Barbara looked up.
