Chapter 20 - Vanessa Comes to My Door
Seven years after dinner, Vanessa asked to see me in person.
I agreed.
Public first.
Then later at condo.
She stood outside holding no folders.
That made me laugh.
“What?”
“No paperwork?”
She smiled sadly.
“I deserve that.”
She looked different.
Simpler.
No elegant black dress.
Jeans.
Sweater.
Gray in hair.
We sat.
She said:
“I want to apologize for one thing I haven’t named.”
“What?”
“Making you afraid of your own mind.”
My eyes filled.
There.
Most accurate.
“I knew you were scared of aging.”
Everyone is, at least some.
“I used it.”
“Yes.”
“I made normal mistakes feel like evidence.”
“Yes.”
“I am sorry.”
I cried.
Then:
“I forgive you.”
She covered mouth.
I surprised myself.
But forgiveness had been happening.
Letters.
Behavior.
No boundary violations.
Restitution paid.
No attempts to control Claire.
Acceptance of divorce.
Therapy.
Years.
I continued:
“That does not mean I trust you with my medication.”
She laughed through tears.
“Please don’t.”
We talked two hours.
Not sisters.
Not mother-daughter.
May you like
Something.
Family history with scar.
