The Cabin
Eighteen months after the night that changed everything, Arthur took Julian to the family cabin in the mountains for the entire summer. No staff. No phones. Just the two of them and Lucky, the golden retriever who had grown into a large, gentle dog that followed Julian everywhere.
They spent their days fishing, hiking, and rebuilding the old treehouse that had been neglected for years. Every evening they cooked simple meals together and ate on the porch while watching the sun set over the lake.
One night, sitting by the fireplace, Julian asked, “Do you think you’ll ever get married again?”
Arthur was quiet for a long time. “Maybe,” he said finally. “But only if I find someone who loves you as much as I do. Someone who would never hurt you. Someone honest.”
May you like
Julian nodded, then leaned against his father’s side. “I think that would be okay. As long as she’s nice. And as long as she doesn’t mind Lucky sleeping on the bed.”
Arthur laughed — a real laugh, the first one in a very long time.
