Chapter 16 - Friday Again
The anniversary of the crash eventually landed on a Friday.
For years, Friday had meant betrayal.
Deadline.
Fear.
Then Chloe suggested something.
“Let's change it.”
“How?”
“Dinner.”
“That's your revolutionary plan?”
“With everyone.”
So Friday evening, my house filled with people.
Aaron.
Nathan.
Elena and her family.
Marcus.
Several employees who helped rebuild the company.
And Chloe.
We ate.
We argued.
We laughed.
Nobody whispered about money.
Nobody waited for midnight.
At dessert, Elena stood.
“I have something to say.”
Everyone groaned jokingly.
She ignored them.
“Years ago, people thought I was invisible.”
She looked at me.
“That saved Daniel.”
Then at Chloe.
“People thought fear made her weak.”
Then Marcus.
“People thought shame meant he could never tell the truth.”
Then she looked around the table.
“People are usually more complicated than the worst thing they ever did.”
The room became quiet.
“But,” she added, “if any of you touch Daniel's brakes again, I will personally deal with you.”
The table exploded with laughter.
Even I couldn't stop.
Later, Chloe and I stood outside.
“You know,” she said, “I once thought Friday would make me rich.”
“You nearly got a terrible return on investment.”
She punched my shoulder gently.
Then became serious.
“I'm sorry.”
“I know.”
“I'll probably always be sorry.”
“Probably.”
She looked at me.
“Does that bother you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I'll probably always remember.”
We stood quietly.
May you like
Healing wasn't forgetting.
It was remembering without bleeding every time.
