Janet reached for Beth’s hand.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I should have talked to you.”
Beth squeezed her fingers.
“I should have told you I wanted to.”
A quiet knock interrupted them.
Patrick stood in the doorway.
“There’s something else,” he said.
Beth looked exhausted.
“Patrick, what else could there possibly be?”
He held a small padded case.
“Your father left something specifically for you.”
Janet looked at the case and covered her mouth.
Patrick stepped inside.
“It’s a recording. He made it shortly before he died.”
Beth went still.
“A recording of Dad?”
Patrick nodded.
“He wanted you to have it when you were ready. He said it should be your choice whether to listen.”
“How long have you had it?”
“Thirteen years.”
“Patrick…”
“I know,” he said. “I should have told you sooner.”
He explained that Janet had initially been unable to bear hearing Richard’s voice.
