Chapter 12
Elias asked to see Noah privately.
I said no.
He looked insulted.
“I’m his grandfather.”
“Yes.”
“I have rights inside this family.”
“No.”
That surprised him.
Titles had opened doors his entire life.
Not anymore.
“If Noah wants to see you, I’ll ask him.”
“He is four.”
“Exactly.”
“And you’re letting a four-year-old decide adult relationships?”
“I’m letting a four-year-old decide who sits near him after he was put inside a running dryer.”
My father looked away.
No argument survived that phrasing.
Noah said no.
Elias did not see him for two months.
During that time, he sent no gifts.
Good.
No bribery.
No pressure.
When Noah finally agreed, the meeting lasted eight minutes.
Elias sat across from him.
“I did something wrong.”
Noah looked at him.
“You didn’t press button.”
Elias swallowed.
“No.”
Then Noah asked:
“You knew?”
My father closed his eyes.
May you like
“Yes.”
That answer cost him more than any elaborate punishment I could invent.
