“Some of them were important things.”

“Yes.”

Neither tried to turn the moment into romance.

The distance between them still contained real damage.

But the photograph on the refrigerator proved that the present could hold something new without pretending the past had never happened.

PART 15: Constance’s Apology

Constance finally requested a meeting through her attorney.

By then the independent inquiry had required repayment of certain improperly charged expenses, and the special committee had implemented new approvals for family-related payments.