Chapter 18 - THE PHONE CALL In March, Dad called.
His voice was tense.
"Claire."
"What happened?"
"We heard from Lauren."
I sat down.
"Is she okay?"
"She says she is."
"Where is she?"
"Colorado."
I exhaled.
"Why did she call?"
Dad hesitated.
"She asked about Emma."
My chest tightened.
"What did you tell her?"
"The truth."
"Which was?"
"That Emma is happy. That you're happy. That James is doing well."
I waited.
"Then what?"
"She said she doesn't want to see Emma."
That surprised me.
"Why?"
"She said she isn't ready."
For the first time, I understood that maybe Lauren was finally learning that love wasn't possession.
Dad continued.
"She also asked me to tell you something."
"What?"
"She said she hopes one day you can think about her without being afraid."
I stared out the window.
I didn't know whether that day would ever come.
But for the first time, I believed it might.
Not because Lauren demanded it.
Because she wasn't demanding anything.
That night, I watched Emma sleep.
James came beside me.
"What are you thinking?"
"That maybe people can change."
"Maybe."
"Do you believe she has?"
He looked at our daughter.
"I believe she's finally doing the work."
I nodded.
"And us?"
"We did the work too."
He kissed my forehead.
Then Emma stirred.
We both smiled.
The room felt warm.
Safe.
Home.
But the next morning, another envelope arrived.
This time, it contained no letter.
Only a photograph.
A picture of Lauren standing beside a new house.
May you like
On the back were six words.
I THINK I'M READY TO COME HOME.
