Silence Was Not Forgiveness novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Ring

Nolan's POV

I stood in my mother's driveway in the gray suit at half past four, with my hands in my pockets and my breath showing.

I had said I would wait for Lena there, and I did.

The porch light came on, and the front door opened.

My mother came down the steps in her plum blouse and the heavy gold watch my father gave her for their thirtieth.

"You're early," she said. "Come in. You'll catch cold."

"I'll wait here."

"Don't be tiresome." She stopped an arm's length away. "I want to talk to you before the others come."

"I'm listening."

"Dale told me this morning I should cancel tonight. I assume you put him up to it."

"I didn't put Dale up to anything. He's thirty-three."

"He's a boy who's been led." She smoothed the front of her blouse. "I'm going to be generous, Nolan, because I'm your mother."

"Go ahead."

"Tonight, before the toast, the board hears that I'm stepping back and you're the president."

I had wanted that title since I was nine years old.

I used to stand in my father's office in a clip-on tie while he let me stamp the invoices.

"The board," I said.

"The bank president is coming, and the priest from our parish, and a man from the board." She lowered her voice, though no one was near. "All you have to do is stand beside Kendall when I introduce her."

"And welcome her."

"As family. That's all. The papers for the baby come after, and Lena is gone by tomorrow with a very comfortable check."

She tilted her head.

"She had her chance, Nolan. Two years. A woman who can't give her husband a child cannot expect him to wait forever."

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