Climbing Back Up
Three days later, Richard sent the trust documents.
My attorney confirmed he’d been allowed to approve payments for Jack all along.
A week later, Richard signed the first distribution request.
I repaired the washing machine, bought Jack new clothes, and told Mom she could keep her paycheck.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes, Mom.”
“Because my kitchen drawer still has magical powers.”
I laughed.
“Then maybe it can produce a vacation for you.”
Richard apologized and asked to meet Jack. I agreed, provided he respected my decisions as Jack’s mother.
Patricia never apologized, so I kept my distance.
I saved most of the money for Jack’s future. For now, we finally had some breathing room.
One afternoon, I returned to the climbing gym.
My hands shook as I reached for the first hold.
‘Just find your next hold.’
May you like
I climbed. And when I reached the top, I cried.
I’d spent so long afraid of falling that I’d forgotten how to climb. Now I was finally finding my way back up.
