Chapter 14 - Richard Opens Laura’s Room Again
For four years, Laura’s bedroom had been a museum.
Richard finally changed that.
Not erased.
Changed.
He and Ethan packed her clothes carefully.
They kept photographs.
Letters.
A blue sweater Ethan remembered.
They donated other things.
Denise opened the curtains.
Sunlight filled the room.
Richard realized grief had made him preserve darkness because changing
the room felt like betrayal.
It was not.
Ethan chose one photograph for his bedroom.
Laura holding him as a baby.
Richard chose the audio recording.
Not as evidence.
As memory.
At the end of Laura’s recording was a section police had not considered
relevant.
She spoke directly to Ethan.
“My sweet boy, if you ever hear this, I hope you are much older.”
Richard cried.
Ethan listened quietly.
Laura said she hoped he would grow up kind without becoming afraid.
Strong without becoming cruel.
Careful without becoming suspicious of everyone.
When the recording ended, Ethan asked:
“Did Mommy know I’d be five?”
“No.”
“Then she was wrong.”
Richard smiled through tears.
“About that part.”
May you like
Ethan leaned against him.
“She knew the important part.”
