Chapter 17 - Margaret Comes Home
Margaret completed sentence after eleven months.
Her notary commission revoked permanently.
Two years probation.
No contact with me per criminal order during term.
She moved to Madison, Wisconsin with younger sister.
Her old home sold partly to pay legal costs and because she said Hinsdale felt “poisoned.”
Not my issue.
One year after probation began, she requested through Sarah permission to send birthday card.
“No.”
She accepted.
Two years later another.
“No.”
She accepted.
At end probation, she sent final letter through counsel without asking? Counsel could ask. I allowed letter.
She wrote:
I used to believe a wife who kept separate money was preparing to leave.
Then:
I now understand separate ownership can exist inside committed marriage.
Then:
I taught Julian that dependence is love.
Then:
I was afraid a woman like you would make him feel unnecessary because I had spent my life making myself necessary to men.
This was her therapy, not mine.
Then:
I cannot ask you to forgive me.
Good.
Then:
I will not contact you again.
She didn't.
No deathbed reunion.
No surprise.
I later heard through public obituary years? Not yet.
She lived.
Volunteered? No need redemption montage.
She sold real estate license? A felony may impact. She did not return brokerage. Worked part-time in interior staging for sister perhaps.
No new offenses.
Then her relationship with Julian.
They communicated in prison.
Later after release maybe limited.
He blamed her initially, then reconciled partly.
May you like
Not my business.
I did not need family to collapse forever to feel safe.
