Chapter 6 - THE REPAIRED STEPS
Evelyn stood frozen for five long seconds.
She looked at her son’s dark, unyielding eyes.
She looked at Clara, who was watching her without fear for the first time in six years.
She looked at Madison, whose small face was still buried safely in the green knit sweater.
Without another word, Evelyn straightened her grey silk blouse with trembling fingers.
She picked up her leather handbag from the console table, her heels clicking hollowly as she walked out the front door.
The heavy mahogany door clicked shut behind her, sealing the house in quiet peace.
David stood in the center of the foyer, his hands trembling violently as he let out a long, shuddering breath.
He dropped to his knees beside his wife and child.
He reached out, his large hands wrapping around both of them, pulling them close until his forehead rested against Clara’s shoulder.
"I'm sorry," David choked out, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry I didn't see it sooner."
Clara rested her hand on the back of his neck, her fingers twisting into his hair.
Madison pulled her small head back from her mother’s collar.
She looked at her father's face, then reached out one tiny finger, touching a tear that was slipping down his cheek.
"Daddy's eye is raining," Madison whispered, her child logic searching for a word to fix the broken air.
"It's okay, baby," David sobbed, pressing a soft kiss into her small palm. "The rain stopped."
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Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon, and inside the quiet house, the staircase was finally safe.
THE END
