Grant laughed softly.
“You’re asking me?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t get to decide.”
“Grandma would.”
“Grandma thinks she gets to decide everything.”
From the kitchen, Evelyn shouted:
“I heard that.”
Ellie laughed.
She kept the letter.
Did not answer.
Not then.
Her hair grew longer.
Not because hair had anything to do with the dog bowl.
Because children kept growing even while adults were still trying to understand what happened.
At eight, Ellie stopped asking every morning whether Grant would be home for dinner.
She knew the schedule.
At nine, she slept at a friend’s house for the first time since Marissa left.
Grant texted the friend’s mother twice.
Ellie returned furious.
“You embarrassed me.”
“I needed confirmation of life.”
“She sent a picture.”
“Very helpful.”
“You’re insane.”
“Documented.”
At ten, Ellie asked whether she could see Marissa.
Grant’s first answer formed immediately.
No.
He did not say it.
“What changed?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s okay.”
“She sends birthday cards.”
“Yes.”
“She doesn’t ask for anything.”
“No.”
“Do you read them?”
“Only if you ask me to.”
Ellie nodded.
“I want to know if she’s different.”
Grant looked at his daughter.
“You may not be able to know from one meeting.”
“I know.”
“You can leave anytime.”
“I know.”
“You don’t have to hug her.”
“Dad.”
“Right.”
The meeting took place in Priya’s office.
Marissa arrived first.
She had cut her hair shorter.
No expensive branding.
No photographer.
No assistant.
Ellie entered with Grant, then asked him to wait outside.
That was harder than he expected.
He did it.
Marissa stood.
“Hi.”
Ellie looked at her.
“Hi.”
Neither moved.
Eventually they sat.
Marissa asked nothing about school initially.
Nothing about Grant.
Nothing about forgiveness.
She said:
“Otis still alive?”
Ellie smiled despite herself.
“Yes.”
“He hated me.”
“He hates everyone who moves his bed.”
“I moved it constantly.”
“I know.”
A tiny laugh passed between them.
Then Ellie asked:
“Why did you want me gone?”
Marissa’s expression changed.
“I didn’t think of it that way.”
“But I would have been gone.”
“Yes.”
“Then why?”
Marissa looked down.
“I thought if you were away for a while, your dad and I could become stronger.”
Ellie stared.
“That’s mean.”
“Yes.”
“Did you think I’d come back and call you Mom?”
Marissa’s eyes filled.
“Maybe.”
Ellie shook her head.
“I wouldn’t.”
“I know.”
“You didn’t then.”
“No.”