Elias flinched.
“I remember sound. Cold. A green light. People tearing through metal.”
Noah touched the scar at his temple.
“Before I knew who had been driving, the truck was a monster in the nightmare.”
Elias went pale.
“After I met you, it became a machine with a terrified man trapped inside.”
Noah’s voice remained quiet.
“That was easier.”
Elias stared at the table.
“I don’t deserve easier.”
“Maybe you don’t.”
Miriam inhaled.
Noah continued.
“But your wife does. Your family does.”
Elias’s eyes filled.
“And I need the accident to stop taking things from everyone it touched.”
Silence held us.
Noah touched the carved boat.
“I’m not telling you to drive tomorrow.”
Elias nodded.
“I’m telling you that destroying your life will not rebuild mine.”
Miriam covered her mouth.
Tears ran openly down Elias’s face.
“Thank you.”
Noah shook his head.
“Do something useful with it.”
“What?”
“Get help.”
A wet laugh escaped Elias.
“My wife has said the same thing.”
