Chapter 19 - Derek and Noah
Noah’s relationship with Derek never matched his relationship with Rachel.
Less.
More careful.
At thirty, Noah asked:
“Do you regret not fighting harder for custody?”
Derek stared.
“I did fight.”
“No, after prison.”
He had petitioned limited.
Then stopped when evaluations said no.
“I thought backing off was best.”
“Or easier?”
Derek took.
“Both.”
Noah nodded.
Then:
“Do you think Mom deserved custody back?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She did work I didn’t.”
That admission.
Then:
“I spent prison angry that everyone blamed me more.”
“Did they?”
“Yes. Because I pressed lid and held Margaret.”
“Mom put me—Oliver—in box.”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“I used that to avoid my part.”
Then:
“Did you ever think Oliver should stay with you?”
“For one night, yes.”
“Because healthy.”
“Yes.”
Noah looked away.
“I hate that.”
“So do I.”
Then Noah:
“Do you love me?”
“Yes.”
“Would you choose sick me now?”
Derek cried.
“Every time.”
Noah:
“You don't get redo.”
“I know.”
Then they hugged.
Not absolution.
Relationship.
Then Derek later married? Maybe he stays single. Could have partner Lisa who knew history. Not necessary.
He died? Not yet.
Rachel and Derek never became friends.
At family events, civil.
Noah's wedding.
Grandchild birthday occasionally.
No joint photos required.
Then Margaret died at ninety-one.
Natural stroke.
Rachel and Ethan both there.
Noah.
She had lived long enough to see Rachel parent, Noah adult, Sophie born.
At deathbed, Margaret asked Rachel:
“Do you know I never wanted to replace you?”
Rachel cried.
“Yes.”
“Do you believe?”
“Mostly.”
Margaret laughed weakly.
“Good enough.”
Then to me:
“Take care of her.”
Rachel:
“I’m right here.”
We all laughed.
Margaret died that night.
No hidden will.
Estate simple.
House sold.
Equal shares Ethan/Rachel after small Noah gift.
No favoring Ethan for being “good.”
No penalizing Rachel.
She had updated years earlier with transparent plan.
Rachel accepted.
Then old kitchen.
House sale.
We walked through.
No plastic bin.
Police had returned after evidence years earlier; Margaret discarded.
Kitchen renovated after incident.
Still.
Rachel stood doorway.
“I hate this room.”
“You don’t have to buy it.”
She laughed.
Then:
“Do you forgive me for shoving you?”
I said:
“You never shoved me. You shoved Mom.”
“Oh.”
We laughed again.
Memory.
Then serious.
“I forgive all I can.”
She nodded.
House sold.
Another family.
May you like
No plaque.
Good.
