Josh took the phone from me. “Dad, what’s in this box? Why is it ticking?”
Taylor’s tone remained calm. “It’s just a timer, son. It’s set to open on your anniversary.”
Josh was skeptical. “What’s really going on? Are you trying to pull something?”
“I’m not,” Taylor insisted. “It’s just a gesture. No tricks, I promise.”
After a tense silence, Josh ended the call, clearly conflicted.
“What should we do?” I asked gently.
“I don’t know,” Josh muttered. “It’s hard to trust him.”
“Maybe we should open it,” I suggested, trying to ease his tension. “If it’s really a gift, it shouldn’t be dangerous, right?”
Josh hesitated but eventually agreed. As I kept recording, he carefully opened the box, revealing a check for $100,000.
Josh stared in disbelief. “What is this? There’s no way this is legitimate.”
Before we could process it, Taylor called back. I answered, my voice shaky. “We found the check. Why did you send it?”
Taylor’s voice softened. “Because I’m dying, Kate. I know I’ve hurt Josh, but that money is for you and Emily. If Josh doesn’t want it, keep it for her. No one has to know it’s from me.”
I handed the phone to Josh, who stood listening, torn between his past pain and the present situation.
“If you’re serious about making things right, we need to talk. No more games, Dad,” Josh finally said, his voice wavering.
Later that week, Josh and Taylor met at a nearby park. Taylor looked frail, his voice soft as he apologized for the years of hurt.
Josh took a deep breath. “It’s not going to be easy, but I’m willing to try—for Emily.”
As they spoke, I set up the picnic I’d brought, giving everyone a moment to heal.
On the way home, Josh squeezed my hand. “Maybe that pillow wasn’t such a bad gift after all.”
For the first time in a long while, it felt like things were finally starting to heal.