Chapter 21 - Wade Asks for One Meeting
Wade did not contact Lena for nearly nine years after his release.
Then at fifty eight, he asked through an attorney for one mediated meeting.
No emergency.
No demand.
Lena was twenty eight.
Married.
Working.
The Mercer Mobility Fund had helped hundreds of families with travel and fitting expenses.
She asked Claire:
“What do you think?”
Claire said:
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it matters.”
“Not more than your answer.”
Then she asked me.
“I think you can say no.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Fair.
“I think if you want to go, use a mediator and public professional setting.”
“Would you go?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s your meeting.”
She nodded.
Then went.
Wade looked older.
Gray hair.
No outdoors executive jacket.
No company logo.
He stood when she entered.
“Lena.”
She sat.
“Wade.”
Not Uncle.
He noticed.
Did not correct.
Then:
“Thank you for coming.”
“I have three questions.”
“Okay.”
“Did you love me?”
“Yes.”
She waited.
Wade’s eyes filled.
“And I still chose myself.”
Good.
Second.
“Did you really think Mom was unfit?”
Wade looked down.
“Sometimes I convinced myself she was overwhelmed.”
Then:
“But no. Not the way I wrote.”
“Why write it?”
“Because I needed a court to see her as the problem.”
Third.
“If Dad had lived, would you have done it?”
Wade cried.
“I don’t know.”
Lena frowned.
“Wrong answer.”
He nodded.
Then:
“The honest answer is I was already angry at him for setting boundaries.”
That was better.
“He probably would have fought me sooner.”
Then Wade said:
“I spent years thinking I was victim of your father’s distrust.”
He looked at hands.
“Now I think he understood me better than I understood myself.”
Lena asked:
“Do you want forgiveness?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want a relationship?”
Wade hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Do you want money or company?”
“No.”
She believed him.
Then:
“I forgive you.”
Wade covered his face.
Then Lena continued:
“I don’t want a relationship.”
He nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
No begging.
Then:
“Do not contact my mother.”
“Okay.”
“Do not contact me again unless I do first.”
“Okay.”
Then Wade asked one thing.
“Can I know if you’re doing well?”
Lena thought.
“No.”
That hurt him.
He nodded.
“Okay.”
The meeting ended.
No hug.
No photograph.
No reunion.
Outside, Lena called Claire.
“How was it?”
“Fine.”
Then me.
“Did you forgive?”
“Yes.”
“Feel different?”
“A little.”
“Want him back?”
“No.”
Good.
May you like
Forgiveness had finally become what Wade never understood.
Something given without transferring control.
