Chapter 14 - THE FIRST CALL
Helen arranged the contact through Anna’s court-appointed attorney.
Not directly.
I hated waiting.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?”
Silence.
Then:
“Ethan?”
Four years.
One word.
I sat on the kitchen floor.
“Anna.”
She began crying.
I covered my mouth.
Neither of us spoke for almost a minute.
Then:
“Is Lily okay?”
“Yes.”
“How old?”
The question destroyed me.
“Nine.”
“Oh God.”
“She remembers you.”
More crying.
“I thought you told her I left.”
“I thought you did.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know.”
“No, Ethan.”
Her voice sharpened.
“I did not leave her.”
“I know.”
“I need you to say it.”
“You did not leave Lily.”
Silence.
Then:
“Did you leave me?”
I closed my eyes.
“No.”
“Mom said—”
“I know.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
We did not solve four years on one phone call.
May you like
Good.
Reality deserved more respect.
