“You wanted to find it before I did.”
“In case it was difficult.”
“You thought you could make it easier.”
“Yes.”
I exhaled.
“You should have told 48me.”
“I know.”
“I’m serious, Brian.”
“I know.”
“You don’t get to protect me by deciding what information I’m allowed to have.”
“I understand.”
“So next time?”
“I tell you.”
“Even if you think it will upset me.”
“Especially then.”
I nodded.
“And you’re fixing that wall.”
He almost smiled.
“Tomorrow.”
Later, I went upstairs to Maddie’s room.
She was sitting at her desk with homework open in front of her.
She clearly hadn’t done any of it.
“Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Did you find out what Dad was looking for?”
“Yes.”
“What was it?”
“Letters.”
“From who?”
“Your grandfather.”
She became quiet.
“The grandfather I never met?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“Things he couldn’t say while he was alive.”
Maddie thought about that.
“That’s sad.”
“Yes.”
Then she tilted her head.
“But also kind of good?”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
“Both?”
“Both.”
She waited.
“Was Dad wrong not to tell you?”
“Yes.”
FULL STORY on the next page.