Chapter 13 - The Courtroom
Three years after the trial, I got a call from Elena.
"Your father is up for parole," she said. "He wants to see you."
I was quiet for a moment. "Why?"
"He says he wants to apologize."
I thought about it. Really thought about it. My father had stolen from me. He had lied to me. He had tried to destroy me.
But he was still my father.
"Okay," I said. "I'll see him."
I flew to Texas and drove to the prison. It was a maximum-security facility. Cold. Gray. Depressing.
I sat in the visitation room and waited.
Then the door opened. My father walked in.
He was old. His hair was gray. His face was lined. He looked like a different person.
"Maya." His voice was hoarse. "Thank you for coming."
I nodded. "You wanted to see me."
"I wanted to apologize." He sat down across from me. "I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry for stealing from you. I'm sorry for lying. I'm sorry for everything."
I looked at him. "Why did you do it?"
He was quiet for a long moment. "Because I was weak. Because I was scared. Because I thought I was protecting my family."
"You were protecting Brandon. Not me."
"I know." His eyes filled with tears. "I know. And I'm sorry."
I wanted to forgive him. I wanted to tell him it was okay. But it wasn't okay. It would never be okay.
"I can't forgive you," I said. "Not yet. Maybe not ever. But I want you to know something. I'm not angry anymore. I'm not hurt. I'm just... done."
He nodded. "I understand."
We sat in silence for a few minutes. Then I stood up.
"Goodbye, Dad."
"Goodbye, Maya."
May you like
I walked out of the prison and into the sunlight.
I didn't look back.
