Chapter 24 - AVA APOLOGIZES
She came to my apartment one rainy evening.
No warning.
Elaine drove her.
Ava stood in the doorway.
“I lied.”
I stepped aside.
“You want tea?”
“Kate.”
“Water?”
“Stop.”
I stopped.
She sat at the kitchen table.
“About the statement.”
“I know it was corrected.”
“I still signed it.”
“Yes.”
She looked at me.
“Aren’t you mad?”
“Yes.”
Tears formed.
“I thought you’d say it wasn’t my fault.”
“I’m not going to make you helpless so you can feel forgiven.”
Her face crumpled.
Maybe too harsh.
I softened.
“Your dad influenced you.”
She nodded.
“You were scared.”
Nod.
“You were angry at me.”
Nod.
“And you still signed something that wasn’t accurate.”
She cried.
“Yes.”
“I forgive you.”
She looked up.
“That fast?”
“No.”
I smiled sadly.
“It’s been months.”
Then I slid the gold bracelet across the table.
She stared.
“You kept it?”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you wear it?”
“Because I wanted you to decide what it means now.”
Ava picked it up.
Turned it over.
Then she fastened it around my wrist.
May you like
Neither of us spoke.
Some symbols earn their way back.
