Marcus looked around the table.
“A few weeks ago, something happened here that could have ended very differently.”
Claire looked down.
Marcus continued.
“Someone made an assumption about someone else.”
He didn't mention Claire's name.
He didn't need to.
Everyone understood.
“But instead of turning that mistake into a bigger conflict, someone chose to listen.”
He looked at Claire.
“And someone else chose to forgive.”
Claire smiled.
Marcus raised his glass.
“To second chances.”
Everyone raised their glasses.
“To second chances.”
The evening continued.
But later, after everyone had left, Claire remained outside with Marcus.
The sky was dark.
The pool lights reflected across the water.
She looked at him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Do you ever get tired of forgiving people?”
Marcus thought about it.
“Yes.”
Claire looked surprised.
“You do?”
“Of course.”
“Then why do you keep doing it?”
Marcus leaned against the railing.
“Because forgiveness isn't always for the other person.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I stay angry forever, they still control part of my life.”
Claire nodded slowly.
“That makes sense.”
Marcus looked at the water.
“My mother taught me that.”
Claire smiled.
“She sounds like an incredible woman.”
“She was.”
There was a short silence.
Then Claire asked:
“What happened to your father?”
Marcus's expression changed.
It was the first time Claire had ever seen him become completely serious.
“I don't know.”
“You never found him?”
“No.”
“Do you want to?”
Marcus stared at the pool.
“I used to.”
“And now?”
“I don't know anymore.”
Claire didn't push him.
She knew there were some questions people weren't ready to answer.
The next morning, Marcus received a phone call.
It was from his lawyer.
“Marcus, I need you to come to the office.”
“Why?”
“There is something you need to see.”
Marcus arrived an hour later.
His lawyer placed a file on the desk.
“This was sent to us yesterday.”
Marcus opened it.
Inside was an old property document.
He frowned.
“What is this?”
“A transfer agreement.”
“For what?”
“Your mother's old house.”
Marcus froze.
His mother had owned a small house years ago.
After she died, Marcus had sold it because he couldn't bear to return there.
“Why are you showing me this?”
“Because there is a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
The lawyer pointed to a signature.
“Your father.”
Marcus stared at it.
His father's name was on the document.
But that wasn't the strangest part.
The date was from years after Marcus believed his father had disappeared.
Marcus looked up.
“This can't be right.”
“I thought you should know.”
“Where did this come from?”
“An estate attorney found it while reviewing an old property file.”
Marcus leaned back.
His mind began racing.
If his father had signed this document years later, then he might still have been alive.
The lawyer continued.
“There is also a forwarding address.”
Marcus looked at him.
“Where?”
The lawyer gave him a piece of paper.
Marcus read the address.
His heart began beating faster.
It was in another state.
A small town.
Only a few hours away.
For decades, Marcus had believed his father was gone.
Now he had a possible location.
He wasn't sure whether he wanted the truth.
But he knew he needed it.
That afternoon, Marcus called Claire.
“I need to ask you something.”
“Of course.”
“Do you remember the story I told you about my family?”
“Yes.”
“I may have found my father.”
Claire was silent.
“Are you going to see him?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
“But you're thinking about it.”
“Yes.”