Chapter 5: The Boys
Nolan and Parker asked questions on the drive home.
“Why was Daddy so surprised?”
“Why did the judge say your name was first?”
I answered as honestly as I could without overwhelming them.
“Mommy started the company a long time ago. Daddy helped run it. I let people think it was mostly his because I was happy taking care of you two. But the company was always partly mine. Today the judge reminded everyone of that.”
Parker leaned his head against my shoulder.
“Are we still a family?”
I pulled the car over and turned to face both of them.
“We are still a family. Just a different kind. You will always have me. You will always have each other. And Daddy can still be part of your life if he chooses to be the kind of father you deserve.”
They were quiet for the rest of the drive.
That night I sat on the edge of their beds and read them the same story I had read a thousand times before. When they were asleep, I stood in the hallway and allowed myself one quiet moment of grief for the marriage I had once believed in.
Then I walked to my study and opened the company files.
The audit would begin next week.
The truth was already on the record.
And for the first time in thirteen years, I was no longer standing behind anyone.
May you like
I was standing for my sons.
And that was more than enough.
