Chapter 26 - THE NEXT GENERATION
I had a daughter at forty.
Her name was Sofia Mae Brooks.
Not because my mother was perfect.
Because she was mine.
Vincent held her only after asking.
“Can I?”
“Yes.”
His hands shook.
Crime boss mythology meets six pounds of baby.
He whispered:
“She looks like you.”
“Poor kid.”
Daniel laughed.
I watched.
No fear.
Then Vincent said:
“I’m Uncle Vince.”
I stared.
“That sounds like a man selling illegal fireworks.”
He laughed so hard he almost woke the baby.
Sofia grew.
At four, she loved locking bathroom doors.
Of course.
The first time, I panicked when she didn’t answer immediately.
Then:
“Mommy, I’m pooping!”
Daniel nearly died laughing.
I sat on the hallway floor.
Normal locked door.
Normal child.
No Derek.
May you like
No splintering wood.
Memory lost another piece of territory.
