“Very well, Samuel. We live quietly raising the children and no crime stories. No more.”
“Thank God. Once was enough.”
“It is a shame. You would make a great detective.”
“Thank you. But I prefer to heal people than to catch criminals.”
On the fifth anniversary of Ethan’s arrest, the family went to their country house. They spent weekends and holidays there. By the river, they received guests, organized family parties.
“Mommy, tell me the story of the bad uncle,” Anna, who was already three, asked sitting on Emily’s lap.
“What bad uncle?”
“The one who wanted to take our house.”
The children knew a general version of the story without frightening details adapted for them.
“Once upon a time, there was a bad uncle who cheated people,” Emily began. “He stole their houses and their money. And he also wanted to steal our house.”
“And what did mommy do?”
“Mommy found out his plans and told the police. And the police caught the bad uncle and put him in jail.”
“And he will not get out.”
“Not soon. And when he gets out, we will live somewhere else.”
“And Daddy Victor will still be with us.”
“Of course, sweetie. Daddy Victor will always be with us.”