Christopher looked at Mary. “Mary, please. Talk to her.”
“Ma’am, I apologized.”
She set down the cups. “She’s right. You made it up.”
He opened his mouth, but the bell above the door rang.
A woman stepped inside, checking her phone.
“Chris? Sorry, parking took forever.”
Then she looked up.
“She’s right. You made it up.”
“Dad?”
Steven turned and smiled.
She crossed the room and hugged him. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d surprise you, honey.”
“You definitely did! Come, see Christopher!”
She pulled back and noticed Christopher’s face.
“Dad?”
“What happened?”
Christopher moved toward her. “Victoria, it’s been a difficult afternoon.”
That wasn’t how this story was going to be told.
Her smile faded.
“What’s going on?”
“What happened?”
Steven looked at me. “You should hear it from Carol.”
Victoria followed his gaze, then noticed Benny.
