she asked David why he left.
He told her the truth.
Not every adult detail.
Enough.
“I was ashamed and scared, and I made leaving sound responsible.”
Mia asked:
“Would you do it again?”
“No.”
“Do you think Mom forgave you?”
David smiled sadly.
“You’d have to ask her.”
She did.
That evening, Mia found me in the kitchen.
“Did you?”
“Forgive him?”
“Yes.”
I thought.
“Mostly.”
“What does mostly mean?”
“It means I don’t want him punished.”
“And?”
“I trust him with you.”
“And?”
“I don’t want our old relationship back.”
Mia nodded.
“So forgiveness doesn’t mean everything goes back.”
“No.”
“That sounds useful.”
“It is.”
She left.
Alessandro looked at me.
“Children should not be allowed to summarize therapy this efficiently.”
“Agreed.”
Years later, after Mia left for college, the penthouse became too quiet.
Alessandro hated it.
He pretended to enjoy peace for nine days.
Then started scheduling
