Ty hadn't known what to expect. The dinner conversation started out pretty low-key. He'd thought maybe Maria and Diego would have questions for him, but that didn't seem to be the case, so Ty felt he had to broach the subject of his breaking the rules, and the consequences. "Diego, you said that Lisa had given a lot of thought to our situation, and I have as well. Even though the final outcome of our misadventure seems to be OK, the more I think about it, the more I regret my action that caused the problem, that harmed Lisa. I feel like I'd give anything to go back and undo what I did, but even my power can't do that. Or maybe it could, I don't really know, but I think it would be insanely reckless to try.
"I'm not going to try to convince you and Maria to lift the grounding early, much though I desire it. I doubt that I've thought of any possible justifications that Lisa hasn't. I agreed to the consequences, have stuck to the agreement, and will _somehow_ survive the few remaining days.
"The only observation that I'd like to share is that I know that I'm the person who broke the rules, but I regret that Lisa has to suffer for my mistake. That seems grossly unfair, though I can't think of any better alternative. Therefore, that is one more thing on my conscience, that I have harmed Lisa again in this way."
Maria looked at Diego, then said, "Ty, we really appreciate your integrity. It would be a cliche to say 'This hurts us more than it hurts you,' and that probably wouln't be entirely accurate. Now, you and Lisa might not believe me, but it really does pain us to see you and Lisa suffer. We hope that you both will look back on this as a learning experience, and not think too poorly of us."
"Of course, Maria, Diego!" Ty said. "I have nothing but respect for you both, and this hasn't diminished it in the least."
Lisa said to her parents, "You are well aware that I was angry about the grounding, even though I had to admit you were being reasonable. I'm no longer angry, except with myself. Ty is being noble and shouldering all of the blame, but it's still the case that I pressured him into what he did. Even if I'm not the one who broke the rule, I harmed Ty through my actions, and I regret that. Ty, I'm sorry."
"No apology needed," Ty said. "You didn't intend to hurt me, any more than I intended to hurt you. I'm just thankful that I was able to solve the problem, to fix most of the harm I caused."
"Most?" Diego asked.
"All but the memory of it," Ty said.
"Yes," Lisa said. "Ty fixed everything. If he hadn't insisted on confessing breaking the rules to his parents, and then to you, no one would ever have been the wiser."
"I had to get it off my chest, Lisa!" Ty said. "My conscience would have driven me crazy."
They had long since finished eating. Diego looked at the clock. "If we don't have any more to discuss, perhaps we should call it a night."
"Sure, Diego," Ty said. "Let me help clean up."
"No, Ty," Maria said. "We invited you here as a guest tonight. Lisa and I will clean up, while Diego drives you home."
"Thanks for the offer, but my parents also offered to pick me up, and I told them that I prefer to walk home."
Lisa walked to the door, and said, "Thank you for joining us tonight, Ty. It's good to see you, and I will start missing you again the moment you walk out that door. I love you!" Heedless of whether her parents might see, she hugged him tightly, and kissed him passionately. "That will have to be enough for now."
"I love you too," Ty said. "I can't wait to see you again." He turned and walked out the door, closing it behind himself.