After my daughter called me USELESS, I sold everything and disappeared. She thought she’d inherit, but she never imagined I’d vanish along with ALL THE MONEY.

—How are the children?

There was another pause.

—They miss you.

The words came softly, but heavily.

—I miss them too.

Lily took a deep breath.

—Mom… I… read the letters.

I didn’t answer.

She continued.

—I didn’t know the house was worth so much.

The phrase hit us like a ton of bricks.

For a moment I thought that was all he wanted to say.

But then her voice changed.

—No… that’s not what I meant.

The silence spread.

Then Lily spoke again.

Slower.

—I’ve thought a lot about what happened.

I sat down on the sand.

-Me too.

—Mom… I was cruel to you.

The words seemed difficult for her.

-I know.

—I don’t understand why I said those things.

I looked at the horizon.

—Sometimes people say what they really think when they are hurt.

“No,” Lily said quickly. “That’s no excuse.”

Her voice began to break.

—The children ask about you every day.

I felt a soft lump in my throat.

—How are you?

—Mateo started the new school.