Chapter 14 - The First Visit
I visited Michael during incarceration after six months.
He looked smaller without suit.
No watch.
No office.
No assistant.
Just my son.
He asked about Anna first.
That surprised me.
“How’s house?”
“Her house.”
He nodded.
“Right.”
Progress tiny.
“Is it okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did she tear out office addition?”
“There was no office addition.”
He almost smiled.
Then:
“Does she hate me?”
“I don’t know.”
“She should.”
I said nothing.
Then:
“Do you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m your mother.”
He laughed bitterly.
“That’s exactly how I got away with too much.”
I stared.
Important.
He continued.
“You loved me in a way that made consequences negotiable.”
Painful.
“Sometimes.”
“Dad too.”
“Yes.”
“I thought family meant eventually somebody fixed it.”
Harbor Ridge.
Debts.
Bad decisions.
We had rescued smaller failures before.
Business shortfall at thirty-one.
Tax penalty.
Failed condo investment.
Never criminal then.
But every rescue may have reinforced assumption safety net permanent.
“I’m sorry.”
He shook head.
“Stop apologizing for me.”
“I’m apologizing for myself.”
He understood.
Then:
“What do you want now?”
“To get out.”
“Besides that.”
He thought.
May you like
“To not need your money.”
That was first healthy answer.
