Chapter 76 - Daniel's Apology
Daniel returned to Maple Street alone.
Almost.
Noah drove him.
Then stayed in the car.
Daniel knocked on Carol Keller's door.
She opened.
“You again.”
“Yes.”
“You selling something?”
“No.”
“Good. Come in.”
They sat at the kitchen table.
The mitigation equipment in the basement had been running for years.
Municipal water flowed from the tap.
Carol poured coffee.
Daniel looked older.
She noticed.
“You dying?”
“No.”
“Then stop looking dramatic.”
Daniel laughed.
“I came to say something.”
“You already apologized.”
“I know.”
“Didn't work the first time?”
Daniel smiled.
“This isn't for Carter Global.”
“Then who?”
“Me.”
Carol waited.
Daniel placed no paper on the table.
No prepared statement.
“When I was thirty-one, I signed a document I didn't understand well enough.”
“I know.”
“I trusted people because it was easier than slowing down.”
“I know.”
“I never intended to put anyone here at risk.”
“I know.”
Daniel swallowed.
“And that doesn't make the failure smaller.”
Carol stared at him.
“No.”
“I am sorry.”
She nodded.
Nothing else.
Daniel looked surprised.
“What?”
“You expecting forgiveness?”
“No.”
“You look like it.”
Daniel laughed softly.
“Maybe a little.”
Carol sipped coffee.
“You rich people want receipts for everything.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Money.”
“Apologies.”
“Charity.”
“You like proof the transaction finished.”
Daniel smiled sadly.
“And this one doesn't?”
“No.”
She leaned back.
“You apologized.”
“I heard it.”
“Now go live long enough that it changes how you act.”
Daniel's eyes filled.
“You're difficult.”
“So I'm told.”
When Daniel returned to the car, Noah looked at him.
“Well?”
“She gave me coffee.”
“That bad?”
“Terrible coffee.”
Noah smiled.
Then Daniel began crying.
Quietly.
Noah said nothing.
After a moment Daniel whispered:
“She didn't forgive me.”
Noah looked at his father.
“Okay.”
Daniel laughed through tears.
“That family word.”
“Useful.”
Daniel nodded.
May you like
“Yes.”
It was.
