Daniel looked toward the estate.
Vanessa was standing alone near the reception tent.
“Mom…”
Margaret shook her head.
“Take care of yourself, Daniel.”
Then she got into the car.
I closed the door.
As I walked around to the driver’s side, I heard Daniel say my name.
“Dad.”
I stopped.
“I really am sorry.”
I looked at him.
“I believe you.”
His eyes filled again.
“But believing you’re sorry doesn’t mean I’m ready to trust you.”
He nodded.
I got into the car.
We drove away.
For several minutes, neither Margaret nor I spoke.
Then she looked out the window.
“You didn’t have to do all that.”
“Yes, I did.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You could have taken me home.”
“I should have.”
She smiled faintly.
“But you know what?”
“What?”
“I was proud of you.”
I glanced at her.
She laughed softly.
“I never thought I’d say that after a wedding.”
I reached across the console and held her hand.
The mud on her dress was beginning to dry.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“For what?”
“For letting it get this far.”
Margaret looked at me.
“You didn’t push me.”
“No.”
“But you helped create the situation.”
I knew she was right.
