“I am reading.”
“Same thing.”
Evelyn smiled.
The program contained Amaya’s childhood headshot.
Round face.
Braids.
Serious expression.
“Do you remember the performance?”
Evelyn asked.
“Yes.”
“The part before?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still think about it?”
Amaya took time.
“Sometimes.”
Evelyn looked down.
“I do.”
“I know.”
“Too often?”
“Probably.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Fair.”
Amaya sat.
After a moment Evelyn said:
“I spent years believing the worst part was calling Daniel.”
“It was bad.”
“Yes.”
“But?”
Amaya looked toward the window.
“The worst part for me was when you asked where my parents were.”
Evelyn’s expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because I knew exactly where they were.”
“They were in the ballroom.”
“I suddenly felt like their presence did not count because you had already decided what kind of kid I was.”
Evelyn listened.
Amaya continued.
“I was ten.”
“I did not have language for that.”
“So I got mad about the piano.”
“That was easier.”
Evelyn nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
Silence.
Then Amaya smiled slightly.
“You also made my mom furious.”
“I know.”
“She still talks about it.”
“I know.”
“She likes you now.”
“I am less certain.”
“She does.”
“Your mother interrogated my cardiologist last month.”
“That is love.”
“Terrifying.”
They laughed.
Evelyn looked toward the program.
“Do you forgive me?”
Amaya sighed.
“You waited sixty years to ask?”
“Twenty-two.”
“Still.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Bad question?”
“Big question.”
She thought.
“I forgave parts at different times.”
“That sounds familiar.”
“Yes.”
Amaya looked at her.
“I stopped being scared of you quickly.”
“That mattered.”
“I stopped being angry later.”
“I trusted you around other kids after longer.”
Evelyn winced.
Fair.
“And eventually you became just Evelyn.”
“Just?”
“High achievement.”
She smiled.
“Very.”
Evelyn nodded.
“That is enough.”
She died six months later.
Not during a performance.
Not holding anyone’s hand dramatically.
In her sleep after several weeks of increasing fatigue.
Her estate was enormous.
That part had not disappeared.
Most went to family, charities, a university, environmental causes, and the arts foundation.
Amaya received nothing personally.