Emily's Wedding
Chapter 18 - Emily's Wedding
Three years after the divorce, Emily got married.
She asked Anna to attend.
David would be there.
"Are you okay with that?"
Anna smiled.
"Emily, he's your brother."
"You're my family too."
The words touched her.
At the ceremony, Anna sat on one side.
David sat several rows away.
No drama.
No confrontation.
During the reception, Emily invited both of them to dance with the family.
Anna hesitated.
Then joined.
Eventually, through the movement of people, she found herself standing beside David.
"This is weird," he said.
"Very."
They smiled.
David looked healthier.
Calmer.
He had spent years paying restitution.
He volunteered teaching financial literacy to workers entering construction trades.
Anna found the irony remarkable.
"You've changed."
David looked toward his sister.
"I'm trying."
Anna nodded.
"That's different."
"From what?"
"From telling everyone you've changed."
David smiled.
"Fair."
The song ended.
They stepped apart.
Then David said something Anna never expected.
"Thank you for not saving me."
She stared at him.
He continued.
"If you'd lied to the bank for me..."
He shook his head.
"I would've kept going."
May you like
Anna understood.
Sometimes refusing to rescue someone was the most honest kindness available.
