of us spoke.
Then she said:
“I thought Brent was the successful one.”
I looked toward the garage.
“He has money.”
“Yes.”
I looked back at her.
“That’s not always the same thing.”
She nodded slowly.
Then she reached into her purse and handed me an envelope.
“What is this?”
“Something I should have given you a long time ago.”
Inside was a photograph.
Rick and Noah.
Both boys were smiling.
On the back, Laura had written:
They are proud of you.
I looked at the photograph for several seconds.
Then I put it carefully inside my desk.
“Thank you.”
Laura turned toward the door.
Before she left, she stopped.
“Craig?”
“Yeah?”
“If I hadn’t threatened you with the boys…”
I waited.
“Would you still have helped me with the Mercedes?”
I thought about it.
Then I answered honestly.
“Yes.”
She looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because you’re their mother.”
She nodded.
