Chapter 18 - ANDREW’S FAILURE
I spent years angry at Andrew.
Dead people are difficult to confront.
He had discovered the trust problem.
He had known Drew and Margaret were misusing William’s reserve.
He hid it from me.
He told himself he was protecting me.
That secrecy nearly handed them everything after he died.
At therapy, I kept saying:
“He should have trusted me.”
Dr. Morris asked:
“Did you trust him with all your fears?”
“No.”
“Did you sometimes let him handle money because you preferred not to know?”
“Yes.”
“Does that excuse him?”
“No.”
“Does it complicate the marriage?”
“Yes.”
I stopped turning Andrew into either victim or coward.
He had resisted his family.
He also delayed telling me.
Both.
When William was twelve, he asked:
“Did Dad know they were taking my money?”
“He knew there was a serious dispute.”
“Why didn’t he tell you?”
“He thought he could fix it first.”
“That was dumb.”
“Yes.”
“Was Dad dumb?”
“Sometimes.”
William smiled.
May you like
Good.
A child could love a dead parent without turning him into mythology.
