Chapter 21 - My Father After Prison
Walt was released first.
He sent me letter.
Natalie,
I keep trying to explain I was afraid of your mother, afraid of losing money, afraid of being blamed. Every explanation sounds like excuse because it is one.
I knew closet.
I knew food rules.
I knew money was wrong.
I told myself Gloria handled details.
I am sorry.
I did not respond.
He later requested contact with Lizzy through Ian.
Ian asked her therapist.
Lizzy, then eleven, said no.
Walt accepted.
He never petitioned court.
He lived quietly.
Worked maintenance.
Paid restitution.
When he died at seventy-four from heart disease, Lizzy was twenty.
She attended funeral by choice.
May you like
Not because reconciliation happened.
Because she wanted close one door herself.
