But all that time, Eli had been carrying these words.
I looked at him.
“You believed him.”
Eli nodded.
“I already felt like I was destroying the family.”
His voice was quiet.
“Then Grant told me you would finally be happy if I disappeared.”
He swallowed.
“I thought I was giving you your life back.”
My knees weakened.
“I wanted to call you, Mom.”
He looked down.
“I wrote dozens of messages over the years.”
His voice shook.
“I deleted every one before sending it.”
“Why?”
“Every time I picked up the phone, I heard his words.”
Eli glanced toward Grant.
“That you were happier without me.”
My knees gave out.
Eli caught me before I hit the floor.
For the first time in six years, my son held me.
I buried my face against his shoulder and sobbed.
“You didn’t leave because of me.”
“I never wanted to.”
