His hand was steady as he signed.
Chelsea signed next.
When the documents were complete, Albert placed his copy back into the folder.
“I’m not taking your home from you,” he said.
“I know,” Logan answered.
“We’re choosing to stop pretending we can afford it.”
The board meeting ended a few minutes later.
Miriam Alvarez entered to thank Albert and explain the next steps for the housing fund.
She spoke warmly about the retired teachers who would benefit from rental assistance, accessibility repairs, and emergency housing support.
Albert listened with quiet attention.
Logan watched him.
For years, he had seen his father as a man sitting at the edge of their household, waiting for instructions.
Now he saw the truth.
Albert had never been waiting to be included.
He had been deciding where his life belonged.
When the meeting ended, Albert asked Logan to walk with him.
They went outside into the late-morning sunshine.
