Aaron looked sharply toward him.
“You left him with it?”
“With Ellis and half the county sheriff’s department on the way.”
Aaron relaxed slightly.
Cole said:
“I should’ve believed you.”
Aaron looked away.
Cole continued.
“I should have asked you what happened and listened to the answer.”
“I should’ve stood beside you in that clubhouse.”
“I should’ve gotten on my bike when you left and followed until you stopped.”
Aaron’s face hardened.
“You should’ve.”
Cole nodded.
“Yes.”
No defense.
Aaron seemed almost disappointed.
Maybe he wanted an argument.
An excuse he could tear apart.
Cole gave him none.
“I was grieving.”
Aaron looked at him.
“That’s not an excuse.”
“I know.”
“I was angry.”
“I know.”
“I was president before I understood how to be your father.”
Aaron’s eyes filled.
Cole continued.
“I thought being fair meant treating you like any other member.”
“That was cowardice dressed up as principle.”
Aaron swallowed.
“I needed my dad.”
“I know.”
“You gave me a vote.”
Cole closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Actually, you didn’t even give me that.”
“You abstained.”
“I know.”
Aaron laughed bitterly.
“You remember.”
“Every day.”
Silence.
Maya sat between them physically but understood the conversation only through faces and fragments of lip movement.
Aaron noticed.
He began signing while he spoke.
Cole followed.
The argument became accessible to her.
Maybe that prevented both men from saying crueler things.
Aaron signed:
I waited three months after I left.
Cole froze.
What?
I thought you’d come.
Cole’s face collapsed.
Aaron continued.
Every motorcycle I heard outside the motel, I thought it was you.
Cole looked down.
I didn’t know where you were.
Aaron gave a broken smile.
You knew Memphis.
Cole remembered.
Aaron’s best friend had moved there.
Cole could have guessed.
He had chosen not to.
Pride again.
Aaron continued:
Then Mom’s birthday came. I thought you’d call.
Cole whispered:
“I didn’t have your number.”
Aaron signed sharply:
Samuel did.
Cole looked up.
He had forgotten.
Or pretended to.
Samuel Pike had once told him he knew how to reach Aaron.
Cole refused.
He said if Aaron wanted to talk, Aaron could call.
Cole had called it respect.
It had been punishment.
He signed:
I was wrong.
Aaron stared.
Maya looked between them.
Then suddenly she grabbed Aaron’s face gently.
His eyes went to her.
She signed:
You say sorry when I’m mad. Then I decide when I forgive.
Aaron blinked.
Cole almost laughed.