Chapter 17 - Nora’s Part
Nora and I saw each other again when Eli was twenty-five.
She was visiting Boston for work.
Asked coffee.
I almost declined.
Then agreed.
She looked different.
Older.
Calmer.
“I still think about video.”
“I don’t much.”
She looked relieved, then guilty for relief.
“I laughed.”
“Yes.”
“I could have told Derek no.”
“You could have.”
She nodded.
“Do you forgive?”
“I did years ago.”
Then:
“Why didn’t you tell?”
“We weren’t in relationship.”
Fair.
She laughed.
Then:
“Derek and I broke up because he called me traitor.”
“I remember.”
“I thought leaving him was punishment.”
“It was your relationship decision.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“I later realized telling police truth wasn’t choosing you over him.”
Exactly.
It was truth.
Then she asked about Eli.
“Good.”
“Does he hate me?”
“No.”
“Does he remember?”
“Probably.”
Then:
“Can I apologize?”
I texted adult Eli.
He replied:
If she wants.
They spoke on phone.
Nora:
“I filmed instead of thinking about safety. I’m sorry.”
Eli:
“You didn’t drive.”
“No.”
“You gave video.”
“Yes.”
“Then okay.”
No burden.
Then he asked:
“Do you still have it?”
“No. Police copy retained; mine deleted after case.”
Good.
Then:
“Cool.”
End.
Nora did not become aunt.
She went home.
Her role finished.
May you like
Sometimes people help once.
That is enough.
