Chapter 9 - One Year Later
One year after the cruise, Mia turned ten.
She requested a small birthday party in the backyard.
No luxury venue.
No expensive decorations.
She wanted yellow balloons, chocolate cake, and a table where guests could paint flowerpots.
Her school friends arrived carrying brightly wrapped gifts.
Denise came with a book.
Officer Ramirez brought a small model police car.
Dr. Patel brought sunflower seeds for the painted pots.
Before the party, Mia told me she had made a decision.
“I want to invite Dad for thirty minutes.”
I kept my expression calm.
“Are you certain?”
“He can come with my therapist there.”
“What made you decide?”
“I want him to see I’m okay.”
“You don’t need to prove that to him.”
“I know. I want to see if he’s different.”
Dr. Patel helped establish the rules.
Austin could attend alone.
He could not bring presents worth more than twenty dollars.
He could not ask Mia to call him, visit him, or forgive him.
He could leave immediately if she became uncomfortable.
Austin agreed.
He arrived at three o’clock carrying a small paper bag.
He had regained steady employment at a warehouse and moved into a modest apartment. He continued therapy and completed every court requirement.
I met him at the gate.
“Thirty minutes,” I said.
“I understand.”
“No pressure.”
“I understand.”
Mia stood near the cake table.
Austin stopped several feet away.
“Happy birthday,” he said.
“Thank you.”
He handed her the bag.
Inside was a paperback book about a girl who built a lighthouse.
“I remembered you liked stories about the sea,” he said. “But I can exchange it if—”
“It’s okay.”
They sat at opposite ends of a picnic table with Dr. Patel nearby.
At first, they spoke about school.
Mia told him she liked science and had joined the art club.
Austin listened.
He did not interrupt.
He did not cry dramatically or ask for reassurance.
Near the end, Mia asked the question everyone had avoided.
“Why did you leave me?”
Austin’s shoulders tightened.
“Because I was selfish.”
“Did you think I would be okay?”
“I told myself you would be because that made it easier to do what I wanted.”
“Did Monica make you?”
“No.”
“Do you still love her?”
“No. But even when I did, loving her did not excuse what I did to you.”
Mia looked down at her hands.
“I thought you didn’t come back because you forgot me.”
“I didn’t forget you.”
“Is that better?”
Austin’s face crumpled slightly.
“No,” he said. “It may be worse. I remembered, and I still chose the trip.”
The honesty was painful.
It was also necessary.
Mia looked toward me.
I remained by the porch, close enough for her to feel safe but far enough to let the conversation belong to her.
“Grandpa came,” she said.
“Yes.”
“He always comes.”
“I know.”
The thirty minutes ended.
Austin stood.
“Thank you for letting me visit.”
Mia did not hug him.
She did not call him Dad again before he left.
But when he reached the gate, she spoke.
“You can come to my school art show next month. You have to sit in the back.”
Austin turned.
“I’ll sit wherever you want.”
“And don’t bring Monica.”
“I won’t.”
After he left, Mia walked toward me.
“Was that forgiveness?” she asked.
“No. That was a visit.”
“Do I have to decide now?”
“No.”
She seemed relieved.
“Good. I want cake.”
We lit the candles.
Everyone sang.
When Mia closed her eyes to make a wish, I looked at the people gathered around her.
A year earlier, she had believed no one would come if she called.
Now she was surrounded by people who had come because she mattered.
May you like
She blew out the candles in one breath.
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