— Hello, Daniel — she said gently.
We sat on a bench in the park while Mateo played nearby.
For several minutes, no one spoke.
Finally I said:
— I lost my job… and I also lost all my savings.
Lucía looked at me with a mixture of surprise and compassion.
— I’m sorry.
Those words made me lower my head.
— I don’t deserve your compassion — I replied. — I was a terrible husband.
Silence returned.
Then I continued:
— I distrusted you when you only wanted to help. I made you work harder, spoke to you badly… and even then you never complained.
Lucía sighed.
— Daniel… I didn’t want a divorce. I just wanted you to treat me like your partner, not someone you couldn’t trust.
A knot formed in my throat.
— I know… but I understood it too late.
Mateo ran back and sat between us.
— Can you both come to my school festival on Friday? — he asked excitedly.
Lucía and I looked at each other.
For the first time in a long while… we both smiled.
— Of course — I said.
That Friday I went to the school.
Mateo sang on stage wearing his little white shirt.
When he finished, he ran toward us.
— I saw you! You were together!
Lucía and I looked at each other again.
This time the smile was different.
Warmer.
More human.
As we left the school, Lucía spoke softly.
— Daniel… if you’ve really changed… we can try to be good parents together. For Mateo.
I nodded.
