Chapter 16 - The Smallest Apology
Lucille arrived at Rafael's house without bodyguards.
Without pearls.
Without an audience.
Rafael almost refused to let her inside.
Then Emmett saw her.
He immediately moved behind his father's leg.
Lucille stopped.
That reaction hurt more than any accusation.
She crouched.
Not too close.
“Emmett.”
He watched her cautiously.
“I did something very mean to you.”
Emmett said nothing.
“You made something for me, and I destroyed it.”
His fingers tightened around Rafael's trousers.
“That was wrong.”
Lucille's voice trembled.
“And I'm sorry.”
Emmett looked at Rafael.
Rafael didn't tell him what to say.
The choice belonged to him.
After a long silence, Emmett asked:
“Do you still hate blackberry?”
Lucille laughed through tears.
“No.”
“You did.”
“I hated what it reminded me of.”
Emmett didn't understand.
He didn't need to.
“Can we make another?”
Lucille covered her mouth.
Rafael looked away for a moment.
Emmett had offered what no adult in the Montaro family had managed for decades.
May you like
Not forgetting.
A beginning.
