The hardest conversation came one evening when the siblings sat together in their father’s garden.
“I don’t expect you to forgive me quickly,” Julian said.
Elena looked at him.
“I don’t know if forgiveness works that way.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
“But I do want us to be honest.”
“I want that too.”
Thomas watched them quietly from the porch.
For years, he had worried his family would only come together because of a crisis.
Now he saw something different.
They were choosing to.
Months later, Elena helped her father restore the small traditions they had lost.
Sunday breakfasts.
Walks in the garden.
Old music playing in the kitchen.
One afternoon, Thomas handed Elena a photograph.
It was from years ago.
Their family standing together beside the lake cabin.
The same cabin that had once represented so many memories.
“I thought we lost everything,” he said.
Elena smiled.
