“I know.”
She touched the envelope but did not pick it up.
“I accept the effort,” she said. “Not as a purchase.”
Daniel nodded.
“I understand.”
Liam watched them.
“Does that mean Grandma gets her money back?”
Margaret smiled gently.
“It means your father is keeping his promises.”
Liam looked at Daniel.
“Are you?”
Daniel met his son’s eyes.
“I am trying every day.”
“Then I’m trying too.”
The words were simple.
They were enough to make Emily turn away and wipe her eyes.
Later, after dinner, Margaret and Liam walked to the backyard.
The sky was clear. The last light rested over the fence, turning the grass gold.
The red mountain bike leaned against the porch.
Liam had grown taller. He could ride it faster now, and he no longer needed Margaret’s hand on the seat.
“Grandma,” he said.
“Yes?”
“Do you remember when I hit you?”
“Yes.”
“I wish I didn’t.”
“So do I.”
“I was scared.”
“I know.”
“Dad laughed, so I thought I was supposed to be proud.”
Margaret sat on the porch step.
“What do you think now?”
Liam sat beside her.
“I think Dad was scared too.”
Margaret looked at him.
“How do you know?”
“Because when he tells the truth, his voice gets quiet.”
Margaret felt something loosen in her chest.
“He is learning.”
“So am I.”
They sat together beneath the fading sky.
