The change wasn’t immediate. Neither was my trust in him. We talked about the money, the secrecy, and how he’d pressured Cecilia into keeping things from me.
The first transfer didn’t repair the roof or restore my trust.
We agreed that neither of us would withdraw another large sum without discussing it. Dawson agreed to replace the six thousand dollars from his own discretionary spending over time. I wouldn’t take extra shifts to cover his decision. He made his first repayment that month.
The first transfer didn’t repair the roof or restore my trust. It did show that he understood an apology couldn’t put the money back by itself.
Three months later, she competed there. Dawson sat beside me holding flowers.
When Cecilia eventually asked Dawson to take her again, he sat through ordinary practices without mentioning academies or scholarships.
Sometimes he brought a book and forgot to open it. Cecilia would glance toward the seats between runs, and he would still be watching.
