Chapter 19 - Victor Brooks
Victor lived eight years after release before contacting me.
He was sixty five.
His attorney wrote:
Mr. Brooks requests one mediated opportunity to apologize. If declined, no further request.
I declined.
Two years later, Lily asked:
“Would you mind if I meet him?”
Yes.
But I said:
“It’s your choice.”
She ultimately decided no.
Then Victor became ill.
No need.
He sent final statement to prosecutor archive, voluntarily.
Not for media.
He admitted:
Judith did not force me.
I used her entitlement as permission for my own greed.
Then:
I liked the money.
I liked being treated as equal owner without earning it.
Then:
Nathan embarrassed me because he saw through me.
Then:
When Judith suggested making him afraid, I wanted him afraid too.
There.
Not passive husband.
Then:
When I interfered with vehicle, I knew he could die and chose anyway.
Direct.
Then:
After he died, I let Judith take blame for idea because that made me feel less murderous.
He had already legally admitted, but psychologically.
Then:
On the night Emily went into labor, I destroyed her phone because I was still protecting myself.
Then:
I gave her envelope because I became afraid another person would die in front of me.
No hero.
Then he died at sixty eight from cancer.
No family funeral.
Lily read obituary.
No response.
I felt nothing.
That was okay.
Then remaining restitution? His estate had little; outstanding obligation ended per law or claims against estate. Some modest estate applied.
No hidden money.
Then Judith outlived him.
She learned through prison counselor.
Her letter:
I thought I would hate him forever for testifying. I don’t.
No need.
Then I asked myself if I hated.
No.
Not Victor.
Judith maybe no longer either.
But forgiveness?
I still withheld word.
Not because anger.
Because it didn’t matter.
Then Nathan’s company.
At 30 Lily chose to sell another 10% of Parker Heritage trust stake to employee trust.
Her remaining interest 20%.
Company majority employee-owned 58%+.
Nathan’s family name stayed.
No control dynasty.
Then board renamed annual scholarship Nathan Parker Safety and Integrity Award? That might exploit death. Maybe employees proposed, Lily approved. It recognized employees who raise safety/compliance issues. Nice but perhaps too tidy. Let's include modest internal award, not public.
Then Lily said:
“Dad would hate award named after him.”
Probably.
We laughed.
Then my own studio merged with another firm.
I became part time.
Life.
Then I remarried? The user likes closures maybe but not necessary. Could introduce Owen Hart, no, repeated. Let's not.
I had companionship later with Michael Rowan, a widowed professor, but marriage not necessary. Maybe in final, she can be single and happy.
Then one Sunday Lily came with daughter Nora age three.
Nora ran hallway.
I froze when she grabbed banister.
Memory.
Then nothing.
Lily noticed.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
Past can flash without taking day.
Then Nora asked:
“Where Grandpa Nathan?”
“He died before your mom was born.”
“Why?”
“When you’re older.”
Good.
No burden toddler.
Then Judith wrote asking if Nora could someday know her.
I did not answer.
That choice would belong Lily.
May you like
The cycle had changed.
No adult could pre-claim next child.
