She was allowed to be angry.
She'd spent months frightened because adults had made decisions that hurt people she loved.
He wasn't going to ask her to make him feel better.
Then Lucy looked toward his tattoo.
She studied the tiny raven.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Finally, she asked.
“Are you still friends with him?”
Hammer shook his head.
“No.”
She nodded slowly.
Then whispered.
“I'm not scared of you all the time anymore.”
Hammer's face crumpled.
He looked down at the paper crane.
“Thank you for telling me.”
Lucy studied him.
Then held out another folded bird.
This one was blue.
Hammer looked surprised.
“Another?”
She nodded.
“For being brave.”
He stared.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Then he shook his head gently.
“Lucy, I wasn't brave when I should have been.”
She considered that.
Then answered.
“But you told the truth after.”
Hammer's eyes filled.
He took the blue bird.
“Yes.”
Lucy nodded.
“That's brave too.”
He lowered his head.
For several seconds, he simply sat there holding the two paper cranes while tears slipped into his beard.
Lucy watched him.
Then she asked.
“Are you crying?”
Hammer laughed softly.
“A little.”
“Why?”
He looked toward her.
“Because you remind me of my boy.”
Lucy seemed pleased.
Then she reached toward the craft table.
“Can I show you how to make a better wing?”
Hammer smiled.
“I'd like that.”
She pointed toward a chair beside her.
He looked toward Mara.
Mara approached slowly.
Lucy spoke before either adult could ask another question.
“I want Hammer to help me fold birds.”
Mara studied her niece.
Then nodded.
“All right.”
She looked toward Hammer.
For a moment, their eyes met.
There was still hurt between them.
Still anger.
And a history that no afternoon of paper folding could erase.
But she could see Lucy was making her own choice.
Mara took a breath.
“She's been practicing.”
Hammer smiled.
“I can tell.”
The woman looked toward his enormous hands.
Then toward the little paper crane.
For the first time, a small smile crossed her face.
“Try not to crush them.”
Hammer laughed.
“I'll do my best.”
They moved to the craft table.
Lucy selected a square of yellow paper.
Then placed it in front of Hammer.
“First,” she said seriously, “you make a triangle.”
Hammer nodded.
“Yes, ma'am.”
Lucy frowned.
“I'm not a ma'am.”
He smiled.
“Sorry.”
She giggled.