Truth at the Trailer
They walked side by side toward the trailer at the edge of the yard. Lila opened the door.
Her grandmother looked up—and froze.
“Lila—” she started, then stopped when she noticed the man behind her.
The color drained from her face.
The man stood straighter.
“Margaret,” he said quietly. “My name is Robert Caldwell.”
Recognition flashed in her eyes.
“You’re Elena’s father,” she said, her voice shaking.
“You knew?” he asked.
Tears welled in her eyes. “She wanted to reach out. After Lila was born. But everything happened so fast. I was scared. Scared you’d take her away.”
Robert shook his head. “I would never take her from the person who raised her. You gave her a life when I failed my daughter.”
Lila stood between them, her hands clenched tight.
“So… you’re my grandfather?”
Robert nodded slowly.
“If you’ll let me be.”
