Chapter 23 - THE SON WHO FINALLY LOOKED AT HERThree days before Cole moved out, Dorothy asked him to sit with her.
No Sabrina.
No Jonah.
Just mother and son.
“I want to tell you what hurt most.”
Cole nodded.
Dorothy looked toward the hallway.
“The day I came home.”
His face tightened.
“When Sabrina spoke to me like that, I looked at you.”
He closed his eyes.
“You looked at the floor.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Cole took a long breath.
“Because I knew if I defended you, Sabrina would turn on me.”
Dorothy stared.
“So you let her turn on me instead.”
“Yes.”
The answer was almost a whisper.
Dorothy’s eyes filled.
“That is what I could not understand.”
Cole cried.
“I was a coward.”
“Yes.”
No comfort.
Not yet.
“I told myself I was keeping peace.”
Dorothy shook her head.
“Peace for yourself.”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“I’m sorry.”
Dorothy nodded.
“Good.”
He almost laughed through tears.
“That’s all?”
“What would you like?”
“I don’t know.”
“Forgiveness?”
He looked ashamed.
“Maybe.”
Dorothy reached for his hand.
“I love you.”
His face crumpled.
“But love does not erase memory.”
He nodded.
“And forgiveness does not automatically restore trust.”
“I know.”
“Then start there.”
May you like
For the first time since she returned, Cole looked directly at his mother.
He did not look away.
