Chloe opened it.
Two tiny faded handprints.
Elena looked away.
Then Chloe pulled out a journal.
Her father immediately stood.
“Chloe.”
She turned toward him.
His face had gone pale.
“You don’t need to do this.”
“Yes.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
Chloe’s voice softened.
“Dad, she just told a room full of people that you kept us from her.”
He looked down.
She opened the journal.
“I found this two years ago when we cleaned out the garage.”
Her father closed his eyes.
“It wasn’t meant for anybody.”
“I know.”
Chloe looked at Elena.
“That’s why it matters.”
The first entry she read was dated fifteen years earlier.
Chloe asked why her mother didn’t call.
Told her Elena is working far away.
I hope that was the right thing to say.
Nobody moved.
Another entry.
Maya cried for almost an hour tonight. She keeps reaching for the front door when someone drives past.
