She walks across the room and wraps Lucy in another hug.
"I'm proud of you."
Her voice trembles.
"So proud."
Lucy hugs her tightly.
"I love you, Mom."
"I love you too."
They stay like that for a long moment.
I watch Frank standing a few feet away.
He isn't trying to interrupt.
He isn't trying to control the moment.
For once...
He's just letting it happen.
Maybe that's the first real step.
Eventually Lucy pulls back.
She wipes at her eyes and lets out a shaky laugh.
"I think I've cried enough for one day."
Karen smiles through her own tears.
"I think you've earned it."
Lucy reaches for my hand again.
I lace my fingers through hers without thinking.
Frank notices.
Instead of looking annoyed...He nods. "I know I don't deserve another chance," he says quietly. "I'm just asking for the opportunity to earn one."
Lucy looks at him. "I'll think about it."
We don't say much as we head for the front door.
There's nothing left to say.
Not today.
Frank walks us outside. The late afternoon sun hangs low over the neighborhood. Everything looks the same as it always has, but it doesn't feel the same.
At the truck, he stops in front of me.
For a second, neither of us moves.
