Richard almost smiled.
“Of course it is.”
“Number one: no lying.”
“That seems fair.”
“Number two: stop saying I don’t understand.”
His eyes filled.
“I will.”
“Number three: when I bring the babies, you don’t tell them you went away for business.”
“What do I tell them?”
“The truth.”
Richard nodded.
Rosie handed him the list.
He pressed it between his palms as though it were something sacred.
I did not forgive him that day.
Neither did Rosie.
But we allowed him the chance to become honest.
Sometimes that is the beginning of forgiveness.
Sometimes it is only the end of pretending.
Both matter.
Rosie recovered slowly.
Her heart remained weak for several months, and the twins stayed in the hospital for eleven weeks. Ben divided his days between her room, the NICU, court meetings, and the office he had almost abandoned.
