Chapter 9: The Ordinary Days
Six months after his release, Gavin took Chloe to the park where they had once played before his arrest.
She was nine now, taller, with the same solemn blue eyes that had walked into a death row visitation room and changed everything.
They sat on the swings as the sun went down.
“Do you still think about her?” Chloe asked.
“Sometimes,” Gavin said honestly. “Not with love anymore. Just with sadness for what we all lost.”
Chloe nodded.
“I don’t want to see her yet.”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to until you’re ready.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I’m glad you didn’t die, Daddy.”
Gavin closed his eyes and held her close.
“I’m glad you were brave enough to save me.”
The sun disappeared behind the trees. The park lights came on. Father and daughter stayed on the swings until the stars appeared, two survivors who had found each other again in the darkest place a family could go.
May you like
The execution clock had stopped.
Their life together had finally begun.
