CHAPTER 11: THE VISIT

I drove to the prison alone a month later. Eleanor looked smaller, older, stripped of all her pride and power.
“I finally learned,” she said quietly. “Respect isn’t making people obey. It’s listening. I wish I’d learned it sooner.”
I showed her a photo of Leo walking, cake all over his face. “He’s happy. We’re happy.”
Tears ran down her face. “I’m glad. Tell him… tell him I wish I could have known him properly.”
---