No expensive watch. No designer suit. No appearance of a man trying to impress anyone.
He looked comfortable, healthier, older, and wiser.
“Hi, Victoria.”
“Hi.”
We sat across from each other. Neither of us rushed to fill the silence.
Finally, he smiled.
“I got a job.”
“I heard.”
He had accepted a position as chief operating officer for a regional manufacturing company.
A normal executive salary. Long hours. Real accountability.
No trust fund.
No shortcuts.
“I’m proud of you,” I said.
He laughed softly.
“That means more than you know.”
He looked around my office.
“I almost didn’t come.”
“Why did you?”
“I owed you something.”
“You’ve already apologized.”
“I’m not here to apologize.”
He slid the envelope across the table.
Inside was a check.
It was not large compared with the money I had spent over the years. Attached to it was a handwritten note.
