Chapter 13 - Cameron Meets Emma Without Cameras
They met in a therapist’s office in Connecticut.
No press.
No board members.
No Jonathan.
Naomi waited outside with Sofie.
Cameron entered first.
Emma walked in three minutes later.
Fourteen years old.
Tall.
Nervous.
Alive.
Cameron did not run toward her.
He let her decide the distance.
Emma stared at him.
“You got old.”
He laughed through tears.
“So did you.”
She smiled.
Then she saw the photograph he had brought.
Her at four on his shoulders.
“I remember that shirt.”
Cameron’s chest tightened.
“What else do you remember?”
“Not enough.”
He shook his head.
“You don’t owe me memories.”
Emma stepped closer.
“Can I hug you?”
Cameron could not answer.
He opened his arms.
Emma crossed the room.
Ten years of grief collapsed into one careful embrace.
Outside, Sofie asked Naomi why everybody was crying.
May you like
Naomi answered:
“Because sometimes happy hurts too.”
