Chapter 22 - EIRA MEETS AINSLEY
Eira was twenty.
She chose one mediated meeting.
I did not attend.
Naomi did not.
A professional mediator.
Public office.
Eira told me afterward.
First question:
“Why did you slap me?”
Ainsley answered:
“Because I was angry that you still saw your mother as your mother and not me.”
Eira stared.
“That sounds insane.”
“Yes.”
“Did you love Dad?”
“Yes.”
“Did you love me?”
“I thought I did.”
Eira raised an eyebrow.
Ainsley corrected:
“I cared about you. But I made my care conditional on you accepting the role I wanted.”
Better.
“Why sell the bracelet?”
“Debt.”
“Why the pictures?”
“Jealousy.”
“Why the locket?”
“Because you chose it in front of me, and I experienced that as you choosing her.”
“I was four.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Ainsley cried.
“Yes.”
Then Eira asked:
“Did you marry—did you plan to marry Dad for money?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“I loved him. I also wanted the stability and status of his life. Both were true.”
Eira nodded.
The right size.
No cartoon villain.
Then:
“Can I forgive you and still not want you in my life?”
Ainsley answered:
“Yes.”
Good.
The meeting lasted forty-one minutes.
No hug.
No second meeting.
May you like
Eira sent one Christmas card years later.
Nothing more.
