Chapter 13 - THE PHONE CALLTwo and a half years into his sentence, Ryan was granted parole.
He would move to California.
He would have no contact with me or Lily unless we chose it.
The parole officer asked if I wanted to speak with him.
I said yes.
The phone rang.
"Emily."
His voice sounded older.
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
"I'm not going to bother you."
"I know."
Then I said something unexpected.
"Lily asks about you."
Silence.
His breathing changed.
"She does?"
"Sometimes."
I told him that when she was old enough, if she wanted to meet him, I'd let her decide.
"It has to be her choice."
"I understand."
He cried.
I didn't.
I felt something different.
Closure.
"Goodbye, Ryan."
"Goodbye, Emily."
I hung up.
Mark held me.
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For the first time, I knew the past couldn't follow me anymore.
Unless I invited it.
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Chapter 14 - THE LIFE WE BUILTYears passed.
Chapter 15 - THE FAMILY TABLEThomas's first birthday was chaos.
Chapter 16 - LILY'S QUESTIONWhen Lily turned thirteen, she started asking questions.
Chapter 17 - FATHER AND DAUGHTERRyan stood beneath a tree in the park.
Chapter 18 - THE LETTER FROM THE PASTYears later, another letter arrived.
Chapter 19 - THE NIGHT I FINALLY UNDERSTOODYears after that dinner, I returned to the old Carter house.
