49 - Becca

"Ah, Fred, I'm so sorry," I said again, leaning over to hug him. For a moment, Friederich seemed too tense for my taste, and I thought he would retreat, but he returned the hug. "Fred, I swear I had no idea of any of this and I wouldn't even have said anything to make your conscience worse when you tore that contract or before them. I had no idea.”

Fred was silent, but hugged me tightly. We stayed for a whole moment like that. The world out there went on with its frequency. Cars, people, animals. Everyone continued with their life, but we need that moment. That moment of silence and comfort that we dedicate to each other.

I knew I would cry later when I was alone. I wouldn't do it there, because Fred wouldn't interpret in a good way to see me sad for his life story. People who go through traumatic events never like to receive someone's penalty. The least I could offer was respect and admiration. For the man he had become. By the nature and character.

I even put aside the anger that he