Ten.
Surely Claire would understand.
That was exactly the thought that had cost her two years.
Evelyn stood.
“I need to go.”
Ethan looked shocked.
“Already?”
“One hour.”
“But we haven't set up the telescope.”
“We can…”
Evelyn stopped herself.
We can do it next time.
She had almost said it.
A promise she did not have the right to make.
She corrected.
“Your mom can help you.”
“And the instructions should be in the box.”
Ethan frowned.
“Will you come back?”
Evelyn looked at Claire.
Not Ethan.
Claire saw it.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then:
“We'll talk.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Okay.”
Ethan hugged her again.
This time Claire did not need to give permission.
Evelyn held him.
Then released first.
At the door, Claire followed.
Evelyn put on her coat.
“Thank you for the hour.”
Claire nodded.
“You did what I asked.”
It was not forgiveness.
It was recognition.
Evelyn said:
“I’m trying.”
“I noticed.”
Then Claire opened the door.
Cold air entered.
Evelyn stepped onto the porch.
“Mom?”
She turned.
Claire had not called her Mom once since she arrived.
Evelyn’s heart jumped.
Claire said:
“Don't call tomorrow.”
The jump disappeared.
“Okay.”
“I need to think.”
“I understand.”
“I'll contact you.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Then I’ll wait.”
Claire studied her.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Claire.”
The door closed.
Evelyn walked to her car.
Sat.
Then cried harder than she had in two years.
Not because the visit failed.
Because it went well enough to create hope, and hope after two years of discipline was almost more frightening than grief.
Her phone stayed in her purse.
She did not call Claire.
Did not text.
Did not send:
Thank you.
Did not send:
Please tell Ethan I love him.
Did not send:
When can I see him?
She drove home.
And waited.
Three days.
Four.
Seven.
Day eight, the phone rang.
Claire.
Evelyn stared at the screen until the third ring.
Then answered.
“Hello?”
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
Pause.
“Ethan wants to show you Saturn.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“Okay.”
“Saturday.”
“An hour.”
“I can do that.”
“At our house.”
“Yes.”
“And Mom?”
“Yes?”
“If I tell you something in front of Ethan, don't contradict me.”
“I won't.”
“Even if you think I'm wrong.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“Even then.”
“Okay.”
Saturday became two hours.
Then nothing for three weeks.
Then another visit.
Then a school science night.
Claire let Evelyn attend but asked her to sit in a different row.
Evelyn did.