Not every memory of him was comforting.
There were arguments they had never resolved and questions she had never asked before he became too ill to answer them.
But she remembered one conversation particularly well.
It had taken place in the hospital shortly before his death.
Her father had been tired, his voice weakened by illness, but his eyes had remained clear.
FATHER:
"Caroline, there will be people who judge you by what they can see."
CAROLINE:
"I know, Dad."
FATHER:
"Don't waste your life trying to convince every one of them that they're wrong."
CAROLINE:
"What if they're my own family?"
He had looked at her for a long moment.
FATHER:
"Then it will hurt more. But the truth doesn't become less true because someone you love refuses to accept it."
At the time, Caroline had believed he was talking about her career.
Now she wondered whether he had understood more about the family than he had ever explained.
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"Your father believed family should come first."
Caroline returned her attention to her mother.
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"He believed family should protect one another."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"Exactly."
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"Then perhaps we remember him differently."
Patricia's face hardened.
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"You have always been determined to have the last word."
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"I'm not trying to win an argument."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"Then what are you trying to do?"
Caroline looked across the ballroom.
The veterans were beginning to sit down, although many continued watching the situation from a respectful distance. Ward was speaking quietly with two former officers near the stage.
The evening's program had been interrupted, but the foundation's staff were already coordinating with the event organizers to resume it.
Caroline looked back at her mother.
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"I'm trying to understand whether there is anything left between us that doesn't depend on me accepting the way you treat me."
Patricia's lips parted, but no answer came.
Before she could speak, a voice sounded from behind them.
MASTER CHIEF ELIAS WARD:
"Admiral, forgive the interruption."
Caroline turned.
Ward approached with a second officer, Captain Michael Harris, a middle-aged man wearing a dark formal Navy uniform.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL HARRIS:
"Ma'am, several people from the foundation's board would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you when you're ready."
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"Of course. I hope the disruption hasn't affected the event too badly."
CAPTAIN MICHAEL HARRIS:
"The event will recover, Admiral. The important thing is that you're all right."
Caroline nodded.
Patricia watched the exchange with growing uncertainty.
The officers did not speak to Caroline as though they were trying to flatter a powerful person. Their manner was respectful, but familiar enough to suggest that they had worked with her before.
That realization troubled Patricia more than the title itself.
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"You know my daughter?"
Captain Harris turned toward her.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL HARRIS:
"Yes, ma'am. I've had the privilege of serving with her."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"For how long?"
CAPTAIN MICHAEL HARRIS:
"Long enough to know that she takes her responsibilities seriously."
Patricia looked at Caroline again.
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"Why have you never told us about these people?"
Caroline answered without raising her voice.
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"I have introduced you to colleagues before."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"Not people like this."
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"What do you mean by people like this?"
Patricia hesitated.
She had no answer that would not reveal what she was beginning to understand about herself.
She had assumed that Caroline's work was ordinary because Caroline had never used it to impress the family. She had treated her daughter's restraint as evidence that there was nothing worth discussing.
Now the room was full of people whose respect could not be dismissed so easily.
And still, Patricia seemed more concerned about what this meant for her own reputation than what it meant for Caroline.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL HARRIS:
"Admiral, we can wait until you're ready."
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"Thank you, Captain. I'll join you shortly."
The officers stepped aside.
Caroline looked at her mother.
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"I need some air."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"Caroline, wait."
Her daughter stopped but did not turn around immediately.
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"You cannot simply walk away every time something becomes uncomfortable."
Caroline closed her eyes for a brief moment.
It was almost unbelievable.
Even now, after the slap, after the public insult, after the sight of hundreds of veterans standing in recognition of her rank, her mother was trying to make Caroline responsible for the discomfort of the evening.
CAROLINE BENNETT:
"I have spent most of my life staying in conversations that hurt me because I was afraid of disappointing you."
She turned to face Patricia.