Chapter 16 - The Choice Leo Made
Another year passed before Leo asked to see Frank.
He was ten.
Vivian asked three times whether he was certain.
“Yes.”
“Why now?”
“I have a question.”
“What question?”
“I want to ask him myself.”
The meeting happened in a quiet park.
Vivian and Damon remained nearby.
Frank waited on a bench.
He looked older than Leo remembered.
Leo stopped several feet away.
“Hi.”
Frank stood.
Then seemed uncertain whether he should approach.
“Hello, Leo.”
Leo sat at the opposite end of the bench.
For several minutes neither spoke.
Finally Leo asked, “Why didn’t you untie me?”
Frank closed his eyes.
That was the question.
Not the money.
Not Olivia.
Not the ring.
A terrified child wanted to know why his grandfather had watched him suffer.
Frank answered quietly.
“Because I convinced myself fear would make you stronger.”
“Did it?”
“No.”
Leo looked at him.
“What made me stronger?”
Frank swallowed.
“Your mother coming for you.”
Leo thought about that.
“And Dad saying sorry.”
“Yes.”
“And Olivia saying sorry.”
“Yes.”
Leo looked directly at his grandfather.
“Then saying sorry is stronger than scaring people.”
Frank’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“Can you say it?”
Frank’s voice broke.
“I’m sorry, Leo.”
Leo nodded.
He did not hug him.
He did not say everything was forgiven.
He simply stood.
“Okay.”
Frank looked confused.
“Okay?”
“I heard you.”
Leo walked back to Vivian.
She took his hand.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
Behind them, Frank remained on the bench.
The path was still there.
May you like
And now Leo had taken one step along it.
On his own terms.
