CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
That night, Eric cooked dinner.
It was simple. Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and coffee too strong for that late in the evening.
Howard sat at the dining table, looking uncomfortable with being served.
Eric placed a real plate in front of him.
A clean white plate.
Then he sat across from his father and stared at his own hands.
“I should’ve stopped her the first time,” Eric said.
Howard picked up his spoon.
“Yes.”
Eric looked up, surprised by the honesty.
Howard’s eyes were gentle, but not soft enough to lie.
“You should have.”
Eric nodded slowly.
“I don’t know if I can forgive myself.”
Howard took a sip of soup.
“Good.”
Eric blinked.
Howard set the spoon down.
“Forgiving yourself too fast is how you become dangerous to people who trust you.”
The words settled between them.
Eric’s eyes filled.
“I’m going to earn it,” he said.
Howard nodded.
“That’s better.”
Outside, the neighborhood was quiet. The house no longer felt like Brittany’s stage. It felt tired, wounded, and finally breathing.
Eric looked at the empty chair where his wife used to sit like a judge.
Then he looked at his father.
“Dad?”
Howard raised his eyes.
“Tomorrow… will you come with me to the old shop?”
Howard’s face changed.
Just a little.
But enough.
“The sign’s probably still in storage,” Eric said. “Walker & Son.”
Howard looked down at his plate, and for the first time that week, his eyes filled with something other than sadness.
He nodded once.
“Then we better get there early.”
May you like
Eric smiled through tears.
And across the table, Howard finally began to eat.
