Chapter 23 - The Concert Date
Dorothy sent a photograph of the invitation, not of Leo. Its edges were covered in crooked paper leaves: Autumn Songs, Thursday at Four.
Adrian replied to my forwarded message with a screenshot of his calendar. An empty hour had been carved between meetings.
“An hour isn't enough,” I wrote. “He needs you to arrive before it begins and stay until he is ready to leave.”
This time Adrian didn't push back. He moved a board preparation session and sent a revised calendar block: 3:15–6:00. Leo.
On Thursday Dorothy called me from the school parking lot. In the background children were shouting about missing mittens.
“He's here,” she whispered.
“Who?”
“Adrian. Without the driver waiting at the entrance. He carried Leo's paper pumpkin all the way from the classroom.”
I smiled despite myself.
May you like
At five, a photo arrived from Adrian. The picture showed only a crumpled program on a seat. Across the bottom, in purple crayon, someone had written Uncle Adrian came.
I didn't send a heart or tell him everything was forgiven. I typed: Keep the program. He might ask to see it again.
