Chapter 20 - Richard Comes Home
Dad served three years eleven months before release to supervision.
He was seventy two.
White hair.
Thinner.
No theatrical ruin.
My mother had remained married? We haven't decided. Could they separate? Let's make Elaine and Richard separated during case but did not divorce; she moved to smaller condo while he incarcerated, sold old family home to pay debts/restitution. After release, they chose not to resume marriage, eventually divorced. Need closure.
During his sentence, Mom sold their large house with court/lender approval because finances/restitution/legal costs. She moved to two bedroom condo.
They divorced in year three.
Dad came out to a rented apartment.
Not homeless.
Not wealthy.
He had Social Security/pension remaining.
No management role.
No Lake Voss business.
Supervision restricted financial businesses.
He asked through therapist? No.
He wrote requesting meeting.
I waited six months.
Then met.
He said:
“I thought you would never come.”
“I almost didn’t.”
“Fair.”
He looked at hands.
“Prison didn’t teach me family lesson.”
I raised eyebrow.
“Therapy did.”
“Good.”
“I spent years thinking being father made me stakeholder.”
“You were father.”
“Not shareholder.”
I almost smiled.
Then:
“I hated that you bought house.”
“Why?”
“Because I couldn’t say I helped.”
There.
“I told everyone I taught you work ethic.”
“You did partly.”
He looked.
“I wanted more.”
Then:
“When renters paid, I told myself I was making your house useful.”
“To you.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“I knew signature was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I knew hiding was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I still did.”
“Yes.”
No escape.
Then he said:
“I am sorry I came to door after notice.”
“What about calling me leech?”
He looked embarrassed.
“You were paying for everything.”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
Then:
“Can I see house someday?”
“No.”
He flinched.
“Okay.”
That was boundary.
Not forever perhaps.
But no.
He respected.
That mattered more than apology.
Then Dad completed supervised release without violation.
Paid remaining restitution installments.
No new offenses.
He never ran another business.
He worked part time at hardware store? At 72 maybe no. He volunteered at veterans? No need.
May you like
He lived.
Ordinary.
