Chapter 22 - Bernice Meets Grace
Grace was seven when she asked again.
“I want to meet Grandma Bernice.”
This time Savannah said:
“Why?”
“Because I know everybody else.”
Fair.
We discussed with Grace’s therapist, who knew family history age appropriately.
One meeting.
Public garden café.
Savannah present.
Me nearby but separate.
Bernice arrived early.
No gifts.
That impressed me.
Grace walked in holding Savannah’s hand.
Bernice stood.
“Hello, Grace.”
“Hi.”
“May I hug you?”
Grace looked at Savannah.
Savannah said:
“Your choice.”
Grace shook head.
“No.”
Bernice smiled sadly.
“Okay.”
They sat.
Grace asked direct questions.
“Did you hit Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I was angry and controlling.”
“What’s controlling?”
“Trying to make someone do what you want even when you don’t have the right.”
Grace nodded like taking school lesson.
“Did you pretend to be Dad?”
“Yes.”
“That’s weird.”
“Yes.”
“Are you still mean?”
Bernice almost laughed.
“I try not to be.”
Grace stared.
“Mom says people show with actions.”
Bernice looked at Savannah.
“I think your mom is right.”
They talked twenty minutes about books.
Grace liked dinosaurs.
Bernice knew nothing about dinosaurs.
Good.
No instant bond.
At end, Bernice asked nothing.
Grace stood.
“Bye.”
“Goodbye.”
No hug.
In car Grace said:
“She’s normal.”
Savannah laughed.
“What did you expect?”
“A witch.”
“People aren’t witches.”
“I know.”
Then:
“Can I see her again?”
“Maybe.”
No fear.
No obligation.
That was the only kind of contact I wanted.
Over the next years, Bernice saw Grace two or three times annually.
Always by invitation.
Never alone initially.
Later, when Grace was ten, brief museum trip with Savannah nearby.
No problems.
May you like
Trust built slower than age.
As it should.
