Then I turned to Mr. Brennan. “But this school is going to do more than cry in an office for ten minutes and move on. Millie is in remission, not unscathed. Those kids need to face the consequences, and every child here needs to learn that what happened to her matters.”
He straightened his posture. "Their parents are already on their way, and the boys are suspended from activities until we finish the review. And then we'll begin something more important."
I nodded. “Good.”
I looked back at Jenna. “And if it’s okay with you, the fund will remain in Jonathan’s name.”
She put the handkerchief to her mouth and nodded. "It would be an honor."
Letty stared at me. “You look like Dad.”
Those words hit me right in the ribs.
In the hallway, I opened Jonathan's envelope.
"Flutist,
If you're reading this, one of the boys kept a promise he made to me.
I know you. By now you've already taken on too much weight and told everyone you're okay.
You were brave long before I got sick.
If Letty ever does something that breaks your heart in a positive way, don't close it again out of fear.
Let people love you.
— Jon
I folded the letter and held it against my chest.
Outside the school, the air felt fresh and clean. Jenna stood by the sidewalk with Millie, one hand resting between her daughter's shoulders, as if afraid to let go.
I was first.
—Dinner tonight—I said.
Jenna blinked. “What?”
"You're coming," I told Millie. "No discussion. I know all the tricks for feeding someone who says they're not hungry. I've gotten very good at it."
Jenna's eyes filled with tears again. "Piper..."
“I mean it.”
Millie looked at Letty. “Can I have dinner at your house too?”
Letty gave him a small smile. "Only if you stop hiding in the bathroom."
Millie smiled back. “Only if you stop cutting your own hair without supervision.”
“That’s fair.”
Jenna laughed through her tears, and something inside the four of them relaxed.
On the way home, Letty held Jonathan's helmet in her lap. "Do you think Dad would have cried today?"
I smiled through my tears. "Of course. Then I would have lied about it."
Jonathan hadn't returned to us. But somehow, thanks to our daughter, his love was still present.
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