Chapter 11 - THE OLD HOUSE BY THE LAKEAnna took Charles to the house where she had lived with Lily.
It was small.
Cold.
The roof leaked.
There were only two rooms.
Charles stood in the doorway.
He saw Lily's small bed.
Her worn shoes.
Her schoolbooks.
A broken heater.
He looked at Anna.
“You lived here?”
She nodded.
“For six years.”
Charles looked around.
His own house had more bathrooms than this entire home.
He felt ashamed.
Anna saw his expression.
“Don't look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like money would have fixed everything.”
Charles had no answer.
Anna continued:
“I didn't need your money.”
She looked toward Lily.
“I needed you to believe me.”
The words struck harder than any accusation.
Charles looked at the little girl.
She was sitting on the floor, drawing.
He knelt beside her.
“What are you drawing?”
Lily showed him the picture.
It was a large house.
A little girl stood outside.
Inside the house were many people.
But no one had opened the door.
Charles looked at the drawing.
“Who is this?”
Lily pointed at the girl.
“Me.”
“And the house?”
She shrugged.
“Somewhere I can't go.”
Charles gently touched the paper.
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Then he said:
“Maybe it's time someone opened the door.”
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