Chapter 12 - The Night Claire Returned
Z
Claire returned to Chicago eight months after leaving.
Not for Damian.
Her aunt had suffered a stroke, and Claire traveled back to help her recover. She arranged her own transportation, booked her own room, and informed Katherine of her itinerary.
Damian learned she was in the city from his lawyer.
He did not send anyone to watch her.
He did not call.
He waited.
On the second evening, Claire visited the hospital chapel where she had spent hours beside Gabriel's incubator.
She stood near the memorial book and read the names written in careful handwriting.
A small white flower lay beside the page.
She knew who had placed it there.
Damian sat several rows away.
He rose when he saw her, but did not approach.
Claire looked at him.
He seemed thinner. His hair was shorter, and the lines around his eyes had deepened. He wore no expensive watch and carried no phone in his hand.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Claire said, "You look tired."
"I am."
"Have you been sleeping?"
"Some."
She nodded.
It was a small, awkward conversation between two people who had once known each other's smallest habits.
Damian kept his hands at his sides.
"I won't ask you to stay."
"Good."
"I won't ask you to come home."
"Good."
He swallowed.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry again. Not because I expect it to change anything. Because I should have said it without making you ask."
Claire looked toward the memorial book.
"Do you remember the first time you felt Gabriel move?"
Damian's face crumpled slightly.
"You called me from the kitchen."
"I was making soup."
"You were so excited you forgot what you were cooking."
"I burned it."
"You said he kicked when he heard my voice."
Damian closed his eyes.
"I remember."
"He was real, Damian. Not a promise. Not an idea. He was our son."
"I know."
"And I needed you there."
"I know."
She looked at him.
"I don't know if I'll ever forgive you."
He nodded slowly.
"I understand."
"Do you?"
"I think I'm beginning to."
The answer was not a plea. He did not tell her that he had changed or ask her to notice his efforts.
Claire appreciated that more than she wanted to admit.
She stepped toward the memorial book and wrote Gabriel's name beneath the others.
Then she placed a small white flower beside Damian's.
Their hands nearly touched.
Neither moved closer.
After a while, Claire said, "I hope you keep doing the work."
"I will."
"Not for me."
"I know."
She walked toward the door.
Damian remained where he was.
When she reached the hallway, she looked back once.
He was still standing beside the memorial book, not following her.
May you like
For the first time, Claire believed he might finally understand that love was not the right to keep someone.
Sometimes it was the willingness to let them go.
