Chapter 2: What He Said on Speaker

Part 2 ⬇️

I took the phone from Caleb and set it on the table between us.

Mia looked up.

Caleb crossed his arms.

Mark's voice came through the speaker, flat and clear.

"Caleb.

I need you to listen to me."

Caleb shifted in his chair.

"Dad, she—"

"I didn't ask you to talk yet."

Silence.

"Your mother saved for four months to give you this trip.

Four months, by herself, while working and taking care of you and your sister.

And you called me to complain about a walk."

Caleb's jaw tightened.

"The pool smells."

"I don't care about the pool."

Mia reached over and put her small hand on my arm.

I didn't move.

"You're going to put the phone down," Mark said.

"You're going to apologize to your mother.

And then you're going to walk down to that pier with her and Mia.

Do you understand me?"

Caleb didn't answer.

"Caleb."

"Fine."

Mark paused.

Then his voice dropped, quieter now, meant for me.

"I'm sorry.

I should have said this a long time ago."

I didn't know what to do with that.

Fourteen years and he picks now.

I ended the call.

Caleb was already pushing back his chair — but then he stopped.

He looked at me with an expression I hadn't seen on him before.

Not anger.

Something else.

"Mom," he said.

"How much did it actually cost?"

---

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