Chapter 8 — Thomas Calls His Brother
Thomas stepped into a quiet hallway.
For several seconds, he stared at Lucas’s number.
Then called.
Lucas answered after five rings.
“What?”
Thomas closed his eyes.
“Good evening to you too.”
“You canceled my invitation. Formalities seem unnecessary.”
Thomas deserved that.
“I found the ring.”
Silence.
Then Lucas said:
“Congratulations.”
Thomas almost became angry again.
He stopped himself.
“Mom explained everything.”
Another silence.
Lucas asked:
“Everything?”
“You were having it repaired for Lily.”
“Yes.”
“Mom gave it to you.”
“Yes.”
Thomas took a breath.
Then forced himself to say the sentence without qualifications.
“I accused you of stealing something you didn’t steal.”
Lucas didn’t answer.
Thomas continued.
“I was wrong.”
Still nothing.
“And I removed you from Mom’s gala because of that accusation.”
Lucas finally said:
“Yes.”
Thomas looked toward the ballroom.
“I’m sorry.”
Lucas remained quiet for several seconds.
Then:
“Thank you.”
Not:
It’s okay.
Not:
Forget it.
Because it was not okay yet.
Thomas understood.
Then he said:
“Mom wants you here.”
Lucas laughed once.
“Mom wanted me there six weeks ago.”
Thomas winced.
“Yes.”
“Do you want me there?”
That question was harder.
Thomas answered honestly.
“Yes.”
Then:
“Not because I want the evening to look normal.”
“Not because I think one apology fixes everything.”
“I want you here because I shouldn’t have removed you in the first place.”
Lucas went quiet.
Then Thomas added:
“Also your daughter is here illegally under your name.”
Lucas sighed.
“Of course she is.”
For the first time, Thomas laughed.
Lucas did too.
Then he said:
“Give me twenty minutes.”