Page 51 of The Gathered Fragments of Us
“I know this isn’t an apology,” he said, eyes steady. “I’m sorry, Felicity. I forgot your age. I gave away your birthday gift. No excuses. I made you feel invisible, and that’s on me. I have a lot to make up for.”
He exhaled, shoulders dropping, eyes wet. “Don’t leave me, Liss. I don’t deserve you, but I want to do the work. Please let me try.”
“I’m here,” I said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Relief washed over his face so completely that I had to look away for a moment. When I looked back, he was staring at the locket around my neck, his expression unreadable.
"It's perfect on you," he said, his voice rough. "Even more beautiful than I imagined."
I touched it instinctively. "Caden, this is—I don't even have words. The locket, the donation, the volunteer work. How long have you been planning all of this?"
He leaned against the side of the kitchen table, leaving space between us but angling his body toward mine. "God, I wish I could say months? But truth? When you left, I sat down and talked to Macy—told her about the purse. I talked to her about what happened. She was so upset that she hadn't even thought of you when she found the purse though—in her defense, it was all my fault … I am the one who hid it inside her closet." He rubbed his hands down his face and mumbled, "such a stupid mistake."
He stood up straight and continued, "Macy and I talked. We knew you didn't want the purse back; you'd said as much—and I couldn't blame you! I knew it would always come with the awful memories of what happened. So we talked. She was the one who came up with the idea of donating it for a good cause. Then I thought of the necklace. And we both decided on the inscription—it was her idea for the picture though." He said that last bit with a smile.
"It was?"
"Yes—and I realized something."
I felt tears prick at my eyes again. "What was that?"
"That it was never about the purse. It was about you feeling invisible. About you feeling like your feelings didn't matter to me." His voice cracked slightly.
The space between us felt like an ocean. I wanted to reach for him, but something held me back—maybe I was afraid to break whatever fragile thing we'd just started to repair.
"So, we started researching organizations," he continued. "Macy found Project Place. Did you know they specifically help women rebuild their careers after domestic violence?"
My breath caught. "She found Project Place?"
"Yes. She was looking through different websites, and when she read about Project Place, she got so excited. She said it was perfect because you'd told her once about how important it was to help women who needed a fresh start." He paused, studying my face. "She somehow knew you'd love it. She didn't seem to know details, but I assumed you were talking about Maliyah."
I touched the locket, my throat tight. "Yes. I had mentioned it, but a long time ago. I guess she held onto it." I had to think back—It must have been a year ago. I'd been writing a check to a charity, and she'd asked me about it, having not seen a check before—Gen Z is Venmo, after all.
I'd explained and told her much I admired women who had the courage to start over. I remember thinking of my sister, Maliyah—how far she’d come.
"You're right, though, I didn't mention details—I'd never do that. Macy's just a kid. Plus, it’s Maliyah’s story, and I don't share the details without her permission." Damn it I forgot I told my sister I'd call her this week.
He nodded. "I figured as much. I know you wouldn't have told her about those details. It's a lot, too much really for someone her age."
He went on. "There's more, though," Caden said gently. "When we contacted Project Place about the donation, we learned about their volunteer program. Macy suggested we shouldn't just give something up for what we did, we should also give our time." A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. "She said she learned in school about 'philanthropy,' and how giving your time can sometimes be as important as giving money.
I was crying again. My sister—what she went through—no one could know how deep this landed.
He continued on, "Macy's not here to tell you herself, but she planned something else too. While we volunteer, she made a little folder with a 'menu' of experiences you could choose from. She wanted you to have options—something just for you."
I sat in silence, absorbing it all. That they chose Project Place felt bigger than coincidence. It felt like the universe trying to tell me something.
"And the locket?"
"That was me." He shifted closer, just slightly. "I wanted you to have something that reminded you every day that you're part of our family. That you're seen. That you're loved." He paused. "The photo was Macy's suggestion though—she said it was a happy memory and could help you."
I smiled through tears. "I remember that Christmas. I forced you both to take that picture. You were surprisingly compliant."
"She thinks we look genuinely happy in it."
"We were."
"I can't believe you two planned all of this together."
