Chapter 26 - DINNER AGAINTwo years after the slap, Gemma invited me to dinner.
I almost declined.
Then went.
Small restaurant.
Public.
Safe.
She had rebuilt her finances after divorce.
Mason no longer owned his contracting company.
Harold and Bonnie had downsized.
Andrew lived in another state after completing much of his court supervision and taking a lower-paying job.
No one starved.
Important.
The apocalypse Bonnie predicted when I stopped paying never came.
It was simply uncomfortable.
People sold things.
Reduced spending.
Worked.
Made payment plans.
Accepted consequences.
At dinner, Gemma said:
“You know what was weird?”
“What?”
“We thought losing your money would destroy the family.”
I waited.
She continued:
“It destroyed the version where nobody had to grow up.”
That was better than an apology.
I smiled.
“Drink your wine.”
She raised the glass.
“One glass.”
“Growth.”
May you like
She laughed.
So did I.
