“I’m sorry I decided what you could handle.”
“I’m sorry you found out from a security guard.”
“I’m sorry you found out from a bank screen.”
“I’m sorry I chose her over Poppy on their birthday.”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t trust you to choose both.”
I let it sit between us.
It was a good apology.
It wasn’t enough.
Not yet.
“You’re sleeping in the guest room until I say otherwise,” I said.
“Okay.”
“You’re telling Poppy the truth this weekend.”
“The eight-year-old version.”
“Together.”
“Okay.”
“And Oregon.”
He stiffened.
“We’re not talking about Oregon until I’ve seen it.”
“With my own eyes.”
“And talked to my clients.”
“And my sister.”
“And Poppy.”
“If we go, I decide how.”
“And when.”
“And if the answer is no, it’s no.”
“Okay,” he said.
“Say it like you mean it.”
He looked me straight in the eye.
“It’s your call too, Laur.”
