Chapter 23 - Brandon Comes Home
Seven years later, Brandon was released under supervision after completing sentence with credit and programs.
I was seventy five.
He was forty five.
He asked to meet.
We chose diner.
Two dollar coffee.
The kind Amber hated.
Brandon arrived early.
No designer watch.
He wore work boots.
Warehouse logistics company had offered entry level compliance job? Maybe supervised employment. Let's say bookkeeping clerk at construction supplier, after reentry.
He looked older.
“Dad.”
“Brandon.”
We did not hug immediately.
He sat.
“I’m paying restitution.”
“I know.”
“I have apartment.”
“Good.”
“I work.”
“Good.”
Then:
“I don’t want money.”
I almost smiled.
“Good.”
He laughed.
The tension broke.
We talked forty minutes.
No estate.
No inheritance.
No demands.
At end, he said:
“Can I hug you?”
I thought.
“Yes.”
He did.
May you like
Not redemption finished.
Beginning.
