The chair Veronica’s guests had been using the night before.
He ran one hand across its wooden arm.
“I should have spoken sooner too.”
I looked at him.
“Dad.”
He gave me the expression that meant I should let him finish.
“I spent my life teaching you boys to speak plainly. Then when I got older, I became afraid plain words would drive one of you away.”
Derek looked wounded.
“You thought I’d leave?”
“I thought you were ashamed.”
“I was.”
“That’s different from leaving.”
Derek stared at the floor.
Dad continued.
“I kept giving you time to fix things without realizing that time was making the problem larger.”
I sat on the sofa.
“What happens now?”
Nobody had a quick answer.
Which, strangely, reassured me.
Quick answers had caused enough trouble.
Inez joined us an hour later with legal forms.
Dad and Mom revoked the financial power of attorney.
