Chapter 12 - Claire Leaves for College
Claire left for college in September.
Two hours away.
Not across country.
Still felt huge.
Vanessa begged for goodbye meeting.
Claire said no.
Then yes to therapist-mediated video call.
She wanted closure.
Vanessa appeared on screen from her lawyer’s office.
First words:
“I’m sorry you saw that.”
Wrong.
Claire caught it.
“You’re sorry I saw?”
Vanessa stopped.
Then:
“I’m sorry I did it.”
Better.
Claire asked:
“Why did you hit Grandma?”
Vanessa:
“I was overwhelmed.”
“By wine?”
“No.”
“By her?”
Silence.
“By everything.”
Claire did not let vague answer stand.
“Did you think Grandma was stupid?”
“No.”
“You called her useless.”
“I was angry.”
“Did you think she was useless?”
“No.”
“Then why say it?”
Vanessa cried.
“Because I wanted to hurt her.”
There.
Simple.
Claire looked at screen.
“Did you move her medicine?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Because I needed Daniel to take concerns seriously.”
Claire stared.
“So you made her look confused.”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask me to spy on her?”
“I asked you to notice things.”
“Without telling Dad.”
“Yes.”
“Did you forge Grandma’s signature?”
Vanessa looked toward attorney.
He advised she not answer pending case.
Claire laughed bitterly.
“Okay.”
Then:
“Do you love Grandma?”
Vanessa froze.
“I care about her.”
“Not what I asked.”
Vanessa whispered:
“I don’t know anymore.”
That hurt me more than expected, hearing later.
But maybe honest.
Then Claire asked:
“Do you love me?”
Vanessa cried harder.
“Yes.”
“Then stop asking me to choose you.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I will.”
That was all.
Claire left for college next day.
I helped carry boxes.
She hugged Daniel.
Then me.
Vanessa not there.
Loss.
Consequences have ordinary scenes.
One empty parking space where mother should have stood.
May you like
I felt sad for Vanessa.
Still not excuse.
