Frank apologized again.
“Then help us make things different,” I told him. “Nathan needs his grandfather, but you must respect that I’m his mother.”
Inside the workshop, Nathan approached Cole.
“I’m sorry I made you keep lying.”
“You kept saying one more weekend,” Cole replied. “I wanted to tell Mom.”
“I know. I won’t put you in that position again.”
Cole nodded.
“Good. Next time, I’m telling her.”
The boys began sorting Michael’s tools.
“I don’t know what to keep,” Nathan admitted.
“We don’t have to decide everything today,” I said.
“Grandpa’s moving soon. We do.”
He was right. I wanted to take charge, make a list, and solve everything. Instead, I suggested photographing the things we couldn’t keep.
Nathan handed me the camera.
“Start with the workbench. Dad made this.”
We found a small drawer marked with Michael’s initials. Frank showed us how to remove it, and Nathan held it against his chest.