“That is worth examining.”
“I should have seen it.”
“Perhaps.”
He looked surprised by her softness.
Evelyn continued.
“Do not make the mistake of believing guilt is accountability.”
“What do you mean?”
“Feeling terrible about yesterday can become another way to avoid changing tomorrow.”
Price nodded slowly.
“Your daughter says you do that.”
“What?”
“Say things people hate because they’re true.”
“Danielle talks too much.”
“She does.”
The first Harbor Day after the incident arrived.
Nia refused to go.
No one pressured her.
The second year, she asked.
Not enthusiastically.
Just one evening during dinner.
“Is Harbor Day Saturday?”
Danielle looked at Evelyn.
“Yes.”
“Are we going?”
“Only if you want.”
Nia shrugged.
“Maybe.”
That Saturday she chose another pink dress.
Not the original.
That remained in the back of the closet.
She was eleven now.
Taller.
Her braids fell farther down her back.
Evelyn still wore the enormous straw hat.
Danielle joined them this time.
They walked through the festival.
Music.
Booths.
Children.
The ordinary world continuing in the place where one terrible afternoon had once made ordinary feel impossible.
Near Harbor Creamery, Nia slowed.
Rosa saw her.
She came from behind the counter.
“My girl.”
Nia smiled.
“Hi.”
Rosa hugged her only after Nia stepped forward first.
“What are you having?”
Nia looked at Evelyn.
“Vanilla.”
Evelyn gasped dramatically.
“Finally.”
“Two.”
Danielle laughed.
“Ambitious.”
Nia looked toward the service window.
“Actually three.”
She bought one for herself.
One for Evelyn.
One for Danielle.
The cashier handed her change.
Then asked, “Receipt?”
Nia looked at her mother.
Then her grandmother.
“No, thanks.”
She took the three cones.
Walking carefully, she turned.
A police officer stood near the crowd.
Nia stopped.
Evelyn saw him too.
Young.
Male.
Different officer.
He was laughing with a little boy who had dropped a balloon string.
The officer reached up and caught the ribbon from a tree branch.
He handed it back.
Nia watched.
Her breathing remained normal.
The officer noticed the cones.
“That’s impressive.”
Nia looked at him.
“What?”