Chapter 14 - THE LETTER FROM LUCAS

Lucas left federal prison three months early for good behavior.

He did not call Willow.

He did not come to the gallery.

He sent one letter.

Willow stared at the envelope for three days before opening it.

Willow,

I have rewritten this letter more times than I can count.

There is no version where I can explain what I did without sounding like I am trying to excuse it.

So I won't.

I hit you.

Before that, I failed you hundreds of quieter ways.

I let my father insult you.

I let my mother judge you.

I treated your patience like permission.

I thought providing a beautiful house meant I was a good husband.

I thought defending my family meant never admitting they were wrong.

I understand now that I confused loyalty with cowardice.

Prison did not teach me that.

You did.

You taught me when you walked away.

I am not asking you to forgive me.

I am not asking you to answer.

I only want you to know that the worst thing I ever did became the moment I could no longer lie about who I had become.

I am sorry.

Lucas.

Willow folded the letter.

Michael found her sitting on the gallery steps that evening.

"Everything okay?"

She handed him the letter.

He read it.

Then gave it back.

"What do you think?"

Willow looked toward the Chicago skyline.

"I think he's finally telling the truth."

"Going to answer?"

"No."

Michael nodded.

They sat quietly.

After several minutes, Willow asked, "Do you hate him?"

Michael thought about it.

"I did."

"And now?"

"I don't have enough years left to waste them hating people."

Willow smiled.

"That's annoyingly wise."

"I'm old."

"You remind everyone constantly."

"It's one of the benefits."

She rested her head against his shoulder.

Michael looked at the city.

"You know what your mother said the night before she died?"

Willow shook her head.

"She said she wasn't afraid you'd have a hard life."

"She was afraid you'd mistake an easy life for a good one."

Willow closed her eyes.

For five years, she had done exactly that.

The mansion.

The parties.

The clothes.

The vacations.

Everything had been easy.

Except being herself.

She opened her eyes.

"I think I finally understand her."

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Michael smiled.

"Took you long enough."