Arthur had been right.
Secrets do wait.
But so does truth.
And if you live long enough, sometimes you get to watch it arrive.
I squeezed my granddaughter’s hand.
“Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
Daniel smiled.
“Lunch.”
Little Eleanor looked at me.
“Can I get cake?”
“Before lunch?”
“Yes.”
I pretended to consider it.
Arthur would have said no.
Which made the answer obvious.
“Absolutely.”
She cheered.
Daniel laughed.
And together, we walked down the courthouse steps.
Not as the family we had been.
Not perfect.
Not innocent.
But honest.
And finally free.
**THE END**
