“I’m sorry.”
Marcus didn’t answer immediately.
She looked down.
“I really thought the medicine was old.”
“You didn’t ask.”
“I know.”
“You didn’t read the label.”
“I know.”
“You didn’t tell Elena what you’d thrown away.”
His mother began crying.
“I know.”
Marcus sat across from her.
For the first time, his anger had cooled enough for him to speak without shouting.
“Mom, I don’t hate you.”
She looked at him.
“But I need you to understand something.”
He paused.
“You don’t get to love someone and still treat them badly.”
His mother wiped her face.
“I didn’t mean to.”
“I believe you.”
He took a breath.
“But intent doesn’t erase what happened.”
She nodded slowly.
“I know.”
“You need to apologize to Elena.”
“I will.”
“And you need to respect our boundaries.”
“I will.”
Marcus stood.
His mother looked at him.
“Can I come back?”
He thought for a moment.
“Not yet.”
Her face fell.
“I need time.”
She nodded.
“Okay.”
At 9:15, the last family member left.
By 9:30, the house was quiet.
Marcus returned upstairs.
Elena was awake.
She was sitting against the pillows with her feet elevated.
He brought her breakfast.
Toast.
Fruit.
Eggs.
Water.
She smiled.
“What’s all this?”
