Chapter 27 - Andre Comes Home
Andre finished his sentence and supervision requirements gradually.
When he finally returned fully home, no one threw a huge party.
He asked for that.
“I don’t want balloons for completing consequences.”
Nia respected him more for it.
He found work with a logistics company.
Not finance.
Not family business.
His starting salary was modest.
He rented a one-bedroom apartment.
The first month, he called Nia.
“I can’t believe groceries cost this much.”
Nia laughed for a full minute.
“You deserve this.”
“I apologized.”
“Not enough.”
He learned budgeting.
Laundry.
Meal prep.
Loneliness.
He dated nobody for a year.
“I need to figure out who I am without impressing people.”
Nia looked at him.
“That sounds healthy.”
“I hate it.”
“Also healthy.”
Andre eventually met with several former employees whose wages had been affected.
Not because a court ordered it.
Because his therapist suggested restorative conversations.
Sheila agreed.
Not everyone did.
Andre accepted both.
After meeting Sheila, he sat in Nia’s car and cried.
“She worked overtime because her husband had cancer.”
“I know.”
“I took money from her.”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t know.”
Nia looked at him.
“You didn’t ask.”
That distinction mattered.
Andre nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“Tell her.”
“I did.”
“Good.”
“Does it ever stop?”
“What?”
“Feeling disgusting.”
Nia considered.
“I hope not entirely.”
Andre looked at her.
“Helpful.”
“I mean it.”
She softened.
“Shame that freezes you is useless. Remorse that guides you is different.”
He nodded.
“I’m trying.”
“I know.”
For the first time since they were children, Nia believed him.
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Not because he sounded convincing.
Because his life had changed when nobody was watching.
