Chapter 24 - MARGARET’S LAST REQUEST
Margaret was seventy-five when she became seriously ill.
She had served most of her sentence.
Medical release became possible under state rules because of her condition, not family influence.
The prosecutor did not oppose supervised placement in a secure medical facility.
Lily was twenty-seven.
Margaret requested one meeting.
Lily asked me:
“Should I go?”
“I can’t decide that.”
“What would you do?”
“I wouldn’t.”
“That’s not the same question.”
She smiled slightly.
Exactly like me.
Lily chose one video meeting.
No promises afterward.
Margaret looked frail.
“Hello, Lily.”
“Hi.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Lily asked:
“Why the chain?”
Margaret closed her eyes.
“I wanted you outside the photograph.”
“You could have just told the photographer.”
“Yes.”
“Why chain me?”
“Because you kept trying to come back inside.”
Lily’s face hardened.
“You remember that?”
“Yes.”
“You knew I wanted food.”
“Yes.”
“Did you think I understood the trust?”
“No.”
“Then why punish me?”
Margaret cried.
“Because I was punishing your mother and your father through you.”
No excuse.
Finally.
Lily asked:
“Do you love me?”
Margaret took a long time.
“I think I loved the idea of family more than I knew how to love the people in it.”
Lily nodded.
“That sounds true.”
They ended after nineteen minutes.
No forgiveness statement.
No hug.
No second meeting.
Margaret died eight months later.
Her lawful personal estate paid remaining restitution first.
She left Lily jewelry.
Lily sold most of it.
Kept one small pair of earrings.
“Why those?”
May you like
“They’re pretty.”
Objects could become ordinary.
