“Yes.”
“So you lied instead?”
“I delayed the truth.”
“I was scared.
“That is a dressed-up lie,” I snapped. “You don’t get to bring my past into my daughter’s future and decide when we are ready to hear it.”
“I know,” he said. “I handled it wrong.”
Lila wiped her cheek.
His eyes filled. “I kept telling myself I needed the right time.”
“There is no right time for a lie,” I said.
He nodded once, ashamed. “You’re right.”
“I handled it wrong.
I pointed to the locket in his hand. “Then show me what you came to show me.”
“It’s in my car.”
“Go get it.”
Lila whispered, “Mom…”
“No,” I said. “If he has carried my past for three months, I can wait three minutes.”
***
Julian returned with a brown leather satchel and set it on my dining table like an offering.
Inside were letters, photographs, and an old envelope with my name written across the front.
“Go get it.
The first photo was from prom. Leo and I were standing under silver streamers. I was in my red dress, and he was wearing his crooked bow tie. His arm was around my waist.
I heard him like he was standing in the kitchen.
“Smile, Em. One day, we’ll show this to our kids.”
I pressed my fingers to my mouth.
Julian pulled out a folded letter. “Dad died six months ago. He left this for you. He made me promise to find you. I searched for a long time, but it was difficult because your name changed, and Dad only knew your maiden name.”
The first photo was from prom.
Julian paused. “When I saw that scrapbook photo, I should have told Lila immediately. I was afraid she would think I had used her to find you.”
“Did you?” my daughter asked.
“No,” he said. “I loved you before I knew.”
I looked at the letter.
“Read it,” Lila whispered.
I opened it.
“I loved you before I knew.
