Chapter 20 - ELLA READS THE LETTER
Ella was fourteen when she asked about Diane.
“Was Grandma in jail because of me?”
“No.”
“Because of Dad?”
“No.”
“Then because of money?”
“Because she falsified documents and misused authority.”
“Did the medals matter?”
“Emotionally. Not legally.”
She nodded.
“Can I read her letter?”
We gave it to her.
She read silently.
Stopped at:
I resented what her existence required me to stop controlling.
“That’s horrible.”
“Yes.”
“Did she love me?”
“I think so.”
“How?”
“Badly.”
Ella looked up.
“Is that possible?”
“Yes.”
She continued.
At the end:
None of this was because she was better or worse than Tyler.
Ella folded it.
“Can I write back?”
“If you want.”
She did.
Grandma,
I remember the trash more than I remember the medal race.
I don’t like that.
I don’t know if I forgive you.
Ella.
Diane answered once.
I understand.
No pressure.
At fifteen, Ella agreed to a supervised visit.
Diane was older.
Quieter.
No jewelry except a simple ring.
First question Ella asked:
“Why didn’t you stop Aunt Karen?”
Diane cried.
“Because stopping her would have meant admitting the way I taught her to think was wrong.”
“Did you think I was showing off?”
“No.”
“Then why say Tyler was sensitive?”
“Because I had used his feelings as a reason to control everyone for years.”
Ella nodded.
“You made him weird too.”
Diane almost smiled.
“Yes.”
The meeting lasted twenty-two minutes.
No hug.
Next visit six months later.
May you like
Relationship stayed limited.
Chosen.
