In those three months, Michael called me twice.
The first time, it was to ask if I’d looked at the links he sent.
“Not yet, honey,” I said.
“Mom, you really should. Some of them have waiting lists.”
The second time, he talked for about four minutes about his trial. Then he had to go.
Stephanie called once.
I was in Danny’s kitchen, helping Kayla make meatloaf. My hands were all covered in raw egg and breadcrumbs, so Kayla held the phone up to my ear.
“Mom? Hi! Listen, quick question. Do you still have Dad’s watch? The Timex?”
“I do.”
“Oh, good. Okay. I just wanted to make sure it didn’t get lost in the move or whatever. Okay! Love you!”
That was the whole call.
She didn’t ask where I was sleeping. She didn’t ask how I was. She didn’t ask anything at all except about a watch.
Kayla had heard every word. She set the phone down on the counter very carefully. She didn’t say anything. She just went back to shaping the meatloaf, a little harder than she needed to.
I was still testing them, you understand. I’d have stopped if I could. Some nights I wanted to.
But I was a woman learning, at seventy-one, what her children were made of.
And Walt had been right. It’s an awful thing to find out.
It’s even worse not to.
In the middle of November, I called them both. Same day. Same message.
“I’d like everybody together for Thanksgiving. At Danny’s. I have something of your father’s that I need to give you.”
Michael said, “Something of Dad’s?”
“Yes.”
He said they’d come.
Stephanie said, “Like, from the estate? Something from Hollis?”
“Something of your father’s,” I said again.
She said they’d come too.
Neither of them had come to see me once in three months.
They both came for “something of Dad’s.”
Lila Hart is a dedicated Digital Archivist and Research Specialist with a keen eye for preserving and curating meaningful content. At TheArchivists, she specializes in organizing and managing digital archives, ensuring that valuable stories and historical moments are accessible for generations to come.
Lila earned her degree in History and Archival Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where she cultivated her passion for documenting the past and preserving cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in combining traditional archival techniques with modern digital tools, allowing her to create comprehensive and engaging collections that resonate with audiences worldwide.
At TheArchivists, Lila is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to uncover hidden gems within extensive archives. Her work is praised for its depth, authenticity, and contribution to the preservation of knowledge in the digital age.
Driven by a commitment to preserving stories that matter, Lila is passionate about exploring the intersection of history and technology. Her goal is to ensure that every piece of content she handles reflects the richness of human experiences and remains a source of inspiration for years to come.