He looked down. “I never had that kind of strength.”
“Well, try,” I said firmly. “You don’t really have a choice.”
“Thanks for coming to see me,” Brent said, as he stood up.
“You’re going?”
He looked at me. “Did you come here to hear me tell you I’m sorry?”
I hesitated for a second. “That’s not the only reason,” I admitted. “But it would be nice to hear.”
“Seems to me that if I say it, it would have to be sincere to count… right?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Right.” I nodded.
“Then I’m not going to apologize today,” he said. “But… I’ll work on it so that the next time you come, it will count.”
It wasn’t an apology, but it was a step in the right direction. I smiled and nodded.
“Will you visit me again?” he asked.
“Yes.” I nodded.
“Okay,” Brent replied.
Then he turned and walked out through the door he had been brought in from. I took a deep breath and headed out where Phil was sitting in the car waiting for me. He looked at me in surprise as I got into the passenger’s seat next to him.
“I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
“Brent cut our meeting short,” I replied. “But…it ended well, actually.”
“Really?” Phil asked as he started driving back to our apartment.
“Yes.” I nodded. “He’s still immature and selfish, and I think he still blames everyone else for his lot in life, but I think he also wants to grow. And I think he can, if he tries hard enough.”
“You told him we were married?” Phil asked, taking my hand.
“I did.”
“And?”
“He seemed resigned to the idea,” I replied honestly. “I don’t think he’s quite got over his jealousy of you.”
“Do you think you’ll visit him again?”
“I think so.” I nodded. “He gave me some hope that he could change for the better today. And knowing that he has the potential to change, I know I can’t turn my back on him now.”
“Good for him,” Phil nodded.
I smiled at my husband and kissed his hand gently. “You know what?”
“What?” he asked.
“I’m craving ice cream.”
“There’s a gelato place coming up… Wanna stop there?”
“Definitely.” I nodded excitedly.