“Grandpa!”
My chest tightened.
Mara looked toward the camera.
For a moment, her smile became sad.
Then she answered.
“Yes, sweetheart. Grandpa rides a motorcycle.”
Rosie frowned.
“Where is he?”
Mara took a breath.
“Far away.”
“Why?”
For several seconds, my daughter didn't answer.
Then she gently touched Rosie's cheek.
“Because sometimes grown-ups get lost.”
Little Rosie considered.
Then asked.
“Can we find him?”
Mara smiled.
“One day, I hope so.”
The video ended.
I sat motionless.
Evelyn looked toward me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she whispered.
“She saved that one.”
I swallowed.
“Why?”
Evelyn's eyes filled.
“Because it was the first time Rosie asked about you without being prompted.”
I looked toward the dark screen.
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then asked.
“Are there more?”
Evelyn nodded.
She opened another.
Mara was lying on a sofa beneath a blanket.
She looked thinner.
Her face was tired.
Rosie sat beside her, holding the small embroidered patch.
The recording had been made during Mara's illness.
My daughter smiled toward the camera.
“Rosie, what does that say?”
The little girl looked down.
“D-A-D.”
“That's right.”
“Did you make it?”
Mara nodded.
“When I was little.”
Rosie touched the red stitch.
“Why's this part different?”
My daughter laughed softly.
“Because I ran out of blue thread.”
The little girl giggled.
Then Mara's expression became gentle.
“That's a little lesson, actually.”
Rosie frowned.
“What lesson?”
Mara held the patch.
“Sometimes things don't turn out exactly how you planned.”
She pointed toward the red stitch.
“But they can still be beautiful.”
I covered my mouth.
Mara continued.
“Your grandpa wore this for years.”
Rosie looked impressed.
“Did he like it?”
Mara nodded.
“He loved it.”
“Then why isn't he wearing it now?”
For a moment, my daughter looked down.
Her eyes filled.
Then she answered.
“Because I made him think he shouldn't.”
The recording became quiet.
Mara took a slow breath.
Then looked directly toward the camera.
For one terrible instant, it felt as though she were looking at me.
“Rosie, if you ever meet him, will you tell him something?”
The little girl nodded.
“What?”
Mara smiled through tears.
“Tell him he was always a good dad to me.”
My chest broke.
I leaned forward.
For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.
Then I heard Rosie's tiny voice.
“Okay.”
Mara kissed her forehead.
The video ended.
I sat staring at the phone.
For a moment, the room seemed very far away.
Then Evelyn placed one hand over mine.
“Raymond.”
I shook my head.
Tears were running down my face.
“I should've called.”
Evelyn's eyes filled.