By morning, the cassette was in the hands of an audio specialist approved by the court.
Gavin was not told right away. Amelia did not want to give him hope until there was something real behind it.
But Chloe knew something had changed.
When Denise took her to visit Gavin two days later, the child seemed lighter. She brought a drawing this time: a small house, a bright sun, and three stick figures holding hands.
One was labeled Daddy.
One was labeled Me.
The third was labeled Truth.
Gavin looked at it for a long time.
“Truth has very long arms,” he said.
Chloe smiled. “So it can reach us.”
His laugh broke halfway through and became something close to a sob.
“I’m proud of you,” he said.
She climbed into the chair across from him. The prison had allowed a contact visit this time, but Gavin’s hands were still cuffed in front. Chloe didn’t seem to mind. She placed her small palms over his fingers.
