“Yes.”
“I loved him. That doesn’t make what he did right.”
“No.”
“But now I understand it.”
“That’s different from forgiving him.”
“I know.”
“And the money?”
“Part of Ethan’s trust came from Daniel’s estate. Jack protected your benefits too.”
I laughed through my tears.
“Of course he made spreadsheets.”
“So many spreadsheets.”
“He knew I’d investigate.”
“Absolutely.”
“And that I’d be furious.”
“Terrified, actually.”
For the first time since the funeral, I laughed.
I still wasn’t ready to become Ethan’s family. But for the first time, I was ready to ask whether I could.
I called his caseworker, met with Denise, and spoke to an attorney.
“Can you actually afford another child?”
“Not right now.”
“Good.”
“That’s a strange response.”
“It means you’re thinking before you promise.”
“I’m starting to understand that.”
One evening, I sat beside Jack’s grave and placed the photograph of the two brothers against the stone.
