Chapter 14 - Rafael Told His Son the Part He Regretted
When Emmett was older, he asked about the wedding.
He remembered fragments.
Noodles.
Crying.
A table falling.
Rafael carrying him inside.
“Did you fight them because of me?”
Rafael answered carefully.
“I stopped them from treating you badly.”
“Did you hit Aunt Lucille?”
“Yes.”
“Was that good?”
There it was.
The question Rafael had been waiting for.
“No.”
Emmett frowned.
“But she was mean.”
“She was.”
“So why not?”
“Because once you were safe, I was angry. And being angry does not make every choice good.”
Emmett considered that.
Then asked:
“Did you say sorry?”
“I took responsibility.”
“To her?”
“Yes.”
That surprised him.
“Even though she was mean?”
“Yes.”
Rafael smiled faintly.
“Taking responsibility isn’t agreeing that the other person was right. It’s being honest about yourself.”
Emmett nodded like he only half understood.
That was enough.
May you like
He would understand more later.
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