Arthur continued.
“The Blackmere meeting was Monday morning.”
I stared at him.
“You stayed because of the sale.”
“It wasn’t that simple.”
“Our daughter was dying.”
“I DIDN’T KNOW SHE WAS DYING!”
People nearby turned.
Arthur lowered his voice.
“I thought the doctors would handle it.”
My eyes burned.
“She asked for you.”
He looked away.
“Stop.”
“She asked for you until she couldn’t speak.”
“Claire.”
“You could have been on a plane in three hours.”
“I know.”
“You could have held her.”
“I KNOW.”
“You could have said goodbye.”
He stood so suddenly his chair scraped backward.
“Do you think I don’t know that?”
I stared at him.
“No.
I think you know now.”
He covered his face.
I let him cry.
Then I asked one final question.
“When did you learn she died?”
He froze.
That was all I needed.
The world stopped.
Slowly, he lowered his hands.
