“Hello, sweetheart.”
After a moment, he said, “Mom and Dad are getting divorced.”
I wasn’t surprised.
“How are you handling it?”
“I’m okay.”
Then he hesitated.
“Dad wants to talk to you.”
“And what do you think?”
Jud was quiet for several seconds.
“I think Dad knows he messed up. But…I also think he’s extra sorry because he found out how much money you have.”
His answer surprised me.
At thirteen, he was beginning to understand something his parents never had.
So I asked him the harder question.
“What about you? Are you sorry because of the money?”
“No.”
His voice became quieter.
“I’m sorry I laughed at you in the store. I knew it was wrong. I just wanted Mom and Dad to think I was funny.”
My throat tightened.
“Thank you for telling me.”
Then he asked:
“Could I visit you someday? Not because you have money. I just miss you.”
I smiled toward the lake.
“When you’re old enough to travel, I’d love that.”
There was still hope for Jud.
He had made a mistake, but unlike his parents, he was learning from it.
Blaine had called repeatedly too.
I never answered.
His messages always said the same things.
He was sorry.
He had changed.
He wanted another chance.
Perhaps someday I would believe him.
But I wasn’t ready.
Then one morning, a letter arrived from Meadow.
Three pages.
She blamed me for destroying the family.
She demanded money for her divorce attorney.
She threatened to prevent Jud from visiting me.
She promised to change if I reconsidered my will.
