Yeah. When the FAA called, he looked at her. You know about that, Daddy? I know most things, she said mildly. I'm nine.
He not four. He almost laughed. This is where the FAA called. She looked at the screen. Seems like a lot happened in one night.
It did, he said. A pause. Are you glad? He thought about the question. Really thought about it.
Not the obvious answer, but the honest one. I'm glad I answered the phone, he said. I almost didn't. Why almost didn't? He was quiet for a moment.
Because I was afraid of what it would cost, of how hard it was going to be, of what people would say. He paused and I answered anyway. Zoe turned and looked at him with those eyes. That's what brave is, she said. Miss Patterson said, "Brave isn't not being scared.
It's doing it even when you are." He looked at his daughter, 9 years old, her mother's eyes, his grandmother's jaw. Her own soul entirely, which was the most extraordinary thing he'd ever had a hand in. "Miss Patterson's right," he said. Zoe nodded, satisfied, and looked back at the screen. "Can we actually watch the movie, or are we just sitting here being thoughtful?" He laughed out loud at that, pulled out his phone, and texted Diane at the starlight.
Matney showing interested. 30 Seconds. Be there in 15. He looked at Zoe. Diane's coming.
She did not hide her satisfaction about this. Good. She said she always has the best snacks. He got them popcorn from the concession stand. Diane arrived in exactly 14 minutes.
Parked beside him, climbed without ceremony into the backseat of his truck the way she had a year ago, except this time entirely differently. Because everything was different because a year had passed and a year is not a small thing when you live it honestly. She handed Zoe a package of gummy bears from her bag. Zoe accepted them with the somnity of a transaction. Marcus looked at Diane in the rearview mirror.
She looked back at him. You okay? She said. He said I'm really okay. She smiled.