Chapter 18 - Daniel’s Anger
Daniel had been quiet through most legal years.
Too quiet.
At fifty-nine, he finally admitted he still dreamed about breaking Richard’s jaw.
“Why tell now?”
“Because he’s dead.”
“You think anger supposed die too?”
“I thought.”
Then he said something difficult.
“I resent you for visiting him.”
I stared.
Years.
“Why didn't say?”
“Because it was your father.”
“That doesn't answer.”
“I wanted him punished forever.”
There.
Daniel had watched Ava bleed.
His forgiveness timeline different.
He never forgave Richard.
That was okay.
Then:
“Did you resent Ava meeting?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Then:
“I knew it was her choice.”
He had respected while disagreeing.
That was love.
Then I said:
“You don't have to forgive.”
He looked relieved.
Somewhere along way we turned forgiveness into graduation requirement.
It is not.
Then Daniel admitted he did forgive Margaret eventually.
Why?
“She apologized to Ava.”
Not enough for me initially.
Enough for him.
Different.
Then our marriage had ordinary problems.
Retirement.
Schedules.
Money.
No hidden abuse.
No secret affairs.
Good.
At sixty-two, Daniel had knee replacement.
I hovered.
He snapped:
“Colonel.”
I stopped.
“Sorry.”
Then we laughed.
No one gets exempt from control just because they once protected.
Then he died at seventy-four after cancer.
Not connected.
I was seventy-three.
Ava and Nicole beside.
Grief different from childhood death.
No secrets.
No police.
No court.
I hated ordinary death too.
But it did not make me suspicious.
That itself showed healing.
Daniel’s estate straightforward.
Joint assets to me.
Some direct to Ava.
No fight.
Then I lived alone.
Ava wanted me near.
I moved closer, not in.
Choice.
Then I found Daniel’s old belt while sorting closet.
Brown leather.
Ava had given silly buckle years ago.
I held.
No fear.
I donated belt.
Kept buckle.
Object became object.
Then Ava’s daughter asked:
“Why only buckle?”
I said:
May you like
“Because it makes me laugh.”
Enough.
