Chapter 6 - THE APOLOGY WALTER REFUSED
Vanessa arrived at Walter’s house carrying nothing.
No flowers.
No gift.
Daniel had told her anything expensive would make the situation worse.
Walter opened the door but did not invite her inside.
Vanessa stood on the porch.
“I owe you an apology.”
“Yes.”
The simple answer threw her.
“I shouldn’t have hit you.”
“No.”
“And what I said was cruel.”
Walter waited.
Vanessa exhaled.
“I thought you were taking my purse.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Vanessa stiffened.
“I saw you pick it up.”
She looked toward Daniel, who stood near the steps.
Walter continued.
“You thought I had no power.”
Vanessa swallowed.
“That’s different.”
“Yes.”
Walter rested one hand against the doorframe.
“It’s also worse.”
Vanessa looked genuinely ashamed for a moment.
Then Walter asked, “Did you know that was my house?”
“I knew the owner’s name was Walter Reed.”
“Did you know Daniel’s father was Walter Reed?”
“Yes.”
Daniel looked at her.
Vanessa turned quickly.
“I didn’t connect them.”
“How many Walter Reeds did you think lived on the street where I grew up?”
“You barely talk about him!”
Walter looked at Daniel.
There it was again.
The wound Daniel kept discovering from different angles.
Vanessa pressed on.
“I had hundreds of parcels across multiple projects.”
“Nine on my block,” Walter said.
“You were one line on a spreadsheet.”
Walter nodded slowly.
“That might be the most honest thing you’ve said.”
Vanessa went quiet.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Dad—”
“No.”
Walter’s voice sharpened.
“You don’t get to rescue me now.”
Daniel stopped.
“I’m trying to make this right.”
“Then make it right for Mrs. Alvarez too.”
“I will.”
“And Jenkins?”
“Yes.”
“And people whose fathers don’t own shares in the company?”
Daniel had no answer ready.
Walter opened the door.
The conversation was over.
Before he stepped inside, he looked at Vanessa.
“I accept that you said you’re sorry.”
Vanessa looked relieved.
Walter finished.
“That isn’t the same as forgiving you.”
The door closed.
In the car, Vanessa stared straight ahead.
Daniel started the engine.
She said, “You’re going to choose him over me.”
“This isn’t a competition.”
“It became one the second you saw his face.”
Daniel turned toward her.
“No. It became something else.”
“What?”
“A test.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Of what?”
“Of what you do when the person in front of you can’t do anything for you.”
Vanessa opened the door.
Before getting out, she looked back.
“You should probably take that test too.”
Then she walked away.
May you like
Daniel remained behind the wheel.
Because once again, the person he least wanted to agree with had said something true.
