Carol Henderson's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Carol Henderson had until New Year's to get all four of her children back under one roof, and she was starting with the two who no longer spoke. She sat across from her youngest, Emma, at a corner table in the book cafe, a leather-bound book closed between Emma's hands like a shield. Morgan was late. Carol had asked for fifteen minutes alone with Emma first, and Emma had given her ten before opening the book and pretending to read. "He said things," Emma said, without looking up. "About me. To Dad. I heard them." Carol had known about the fight for six years and had never asked what was said. She had told herself the children would sort it out. They had not. Now she was sixty-one, her husband was two years gone, and the house at the end of the year would be empty unless she filled it. "I want you both home in December," Carol said. "I'm asking you to sit through one coffee. Not forgive. Sit." Morgan came in with the door chime and stopped at the counter, seeing them. Carol stood and waved Morgan over before Emma could refuse. Morgan sat. For a long moment no one spoke. Then Emma closed the book and set it flat on the table. "You called me spoiled," Emma said. "You told Dad I ruined the family. I was fifteen." Morgan's face went white. "I know," Morgan said. "I was wrong. I've wanted to say that for a long time." Emma nodded once. She did not smile. "Okay," she said. "December. One dinner. I'm not promising more." She pushed her chair back and walked out, leaving the book on the table. Carol watched the door swing shut and felt the first crack open in a wall she had lived behind for years. Two down. Two to go. She picked up Emma's book and slid it into her bag, because Emma would want it back, and now Carol had a reason to knock on her door again.