Two policemen arrived less than twenty minutes later.
Lily cried when they came in.
I held his hand while telling them what had happened.
He kept saying:
“He didn’t do it on purpose.”
One of the officers listened silently.
Then he said something I'll never forget.
“Intent does not erase the damage.”
Lily stared at him.
For the first time, she seemed to understand that she didn’t have to decide Marcus’ punishment.
I just had to tell the truth.
Later that night, as I recovered, I sat by his bed.
She seemed exhausted.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Are you going to leave it?”
I looked at her.
“Yes.”
He cried again.
“I’m sorry.”
I leaned forward and surrounded it with my arms.
“No. Never apologize for telling me the truth.”
He held on to me.
And in that hospital room, with the machines gently buzzing around us, I understood something painful.
