Skip to content 
That night, Marcus called Destiny. My mother wants to meet the children. What do you [music] think? Destiny asked. I do not know. Part of me thinks she does not deserve to meet them, but part of me thinks everyone deserves a second chance, even her. What do the children want? I have not asked them yet. Ask them, Destiny said.
They are old enough to have an opinion. Marcus asked the triplets the next Saturday. They sat in Destiny’s living room. Do you want to meet your grandmother? Marcus asked. The mean lady from the party? Caleb asked. Yes, but she wants to apologize. She wants a chance to know you. Cameron thought about it.
Will she yell at us? No, I promise I will not let anyone yell at you. Okay, Cameron said [music] we can meet her. Two weeks later, Marcus drove the triplets to Greenwich. It was the first time he had been back in over a year. The estate looked the same, big and beautiful and empty. Elizabeth waited on the front steps. She wore a simple blue dress.
No fancy gown, no jewelry. She looked older, smaller somehow. The triplets got out of the car slowly. They held hands. Elizabeth walked toward them. She stopped a few feet away. Hello, she said. Her voice shook. I am your grandmother. I, the triplets said together. Their voices were quiet. I am sorry, Elizabeth said.
She looked at Marcus. I am sorry for what I did. I was wrong. I let hate control me. I destroyed your chance at happiness. I have spent a year alone in this house realizing that hate cost me everything. [music] Marcus nodded. I appreciate the apology. Can I be part of their lives? Elizabeth asked.
Can I be their grandmother? Marcus looked at the triplets. Do you want to spend time with her? They shrugged. They did not know her. They did not trust her yet. We will visit sometimes, Marcus said to his mother. But you do not get to control anything. You do not get to make demands. You do not get to tell me how to raise them. If you want to be their grandmother, you have to earn it.
I understand, Elizabeth said. They stayed for 2 hours. Elizabeth showed the children the garden. She gave them cookies. She asked about school. But the triplets were polite but distant. They did not call her grandma. They did not hug her. They had missed too much time. On the drive home, Chloe said she seems sad.
She is sad, Marcus said. She made bad choices and now she is alone. Do you forgive her, Dad? Cameron asked. I am trying, Marcus said. That Sunday, Marcus took the triplets to Boston Common. The weather was warm. Spring flowers bloomed everywhere. They flew kites and ate hot dogs and played on the playground. At 7:00, Marcus brought them home.
He helped them get ready for bed. He read them stories. Khloe fell asleep halfway through the second book. Marcus tucked her blanket around her. He kissed her forehead. “I love you, Dad,” Khloe whispered without opening her eyes. Marcus’s throat got tight. “I love you, too, baby girl.” He walked home to his small apartment. The streets were quiet.
He passed coffee shops and restaurants full of people. He felt happy, really happy. For the first time in years, he texted Destiny, “Thank you for giving me this chance.” She replied, “You earned it.” Marcus stood at his apartment window and looked at the Boston city lights. He had lost everything his mother gave him.
The job, the money, the big house, the trust [music] fund. But he gained the only things that were ever truly his. Three children who called him dad. Three children who loved him. Three children who made his small apartment feel like the biggest home in the world. Marcus woke up early the next morning. His alarm went off at 6:30.
He had to be at work by 8:00. He got dressed and made coffee in his small kitchen. The apartment was quiet, but it did not feel lonely anymore. His phone buzzed. A text from Cameron. Dad, can you help me with my math homework after school today? Marcus smiled. Cameron had his phone now. Destiny gave all three kids phones last month, so they could call Marcus whenever they wanted.
Marcus texted back, “Yes, I will pick you up at 3:30.” At work, David Chen stopped by Marcus’s office. “Good morning, Marcus. I wanted to let you know that three new clients asked for you specifically. They heard good things about your work.” “Thank you, Mr. Chen.” Marcus said, “That means a lot.
You have come a long way in the past year and a half.” David said, “You should be proud.” Marcus looked at the photo of his children on his desk. I am. That afternoon, Marcus picked up Cameron from school. They went to a coffee shop and spread Cameron’s math homework on the table. I do not understand fractions, Cameron said. They are confusing.
Let me show you a trick, Marcus said. He drew pictures to explain how fractions worked. Cameron’s face lit up when he finally understood. Oh, that makes sense now. Cameron said. They worked for an hour. When they finished, Cameron said, “Thanks, Dad. You are good at explaining things.” “Anytime, buddy.
” On Wednesday night, Marcus had dinner with the whole family at Destiny’s house. Jonathan was there, too. At first, Marcus felt awkward, but Jonathan was kind and never tried to replace Marcus. He understood that Marcus was the children’s father. Cameron told me you helped him with fractions. Jonathan said, “That was nice of you.
He is my son,” Marcus said simply. “I help him with whatever he needs.” After dinner, the children went upstairs to do homework. “Marcus helped Destiny clean the dishes.” “Jonathan is a good guy,” Marcus said. “He is.” Destiny agreed. The kids like him, but they know he is not their father. You are. Does he want kids of his own someday? Maybe.
We have not talked about it seriously yet. We have only been dating for 6 months. Marcus dried a plate. For what it is worth, I think you two are good together. You look happy. I am happy, Destiny said. Happier than I have been in a long time. Marcus was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “I am sorry I ruined what we had.