Chapter 19 - Five Days Became Ten Years
Arthur turned sixty-six.
Ten years after the doctor told him he might have five days.
His heart never became perfect.
Neither did he.
He took medication carefully.
Saw doctors.
Walked every morning.
Worked less.
Caleb became executive director of the Vance Employee Foundation.
Mia became a physical therapist.
Margaret retired.
Then unretired because she hated gardening.
Arthur remained involved with Vance Living as chairman emeritus.
No voting control.
No empire.
One evening, Caleb asked:
“Do you ever think about those five days?”
“Every day.”
“Scared?”
“Grateful.”
“For Vanessa confessing?”
Arthur laughed.
“That too.”
Then became serious.
“If she hadn’t said it…”
“I might have died believing I had a perfect marriage.”
“Would that have been better?”
Arthur looked toward Lake Michigan.
“No.”
“Truth hurt.”
May you like
“Then it gave me decisions.”
That was enough.
