Chapter 20 - RICHARD’S FIRST APOLOGY
Richard apologized when Clara was ten.
Five years.
Too long.
Maybe necessary.
His letter:
Clara,
I did not push you, but I watched Katherine do it and decided keeping control of dinner mattered more than helping you.
I also told you to leave a house you had been invited into.
I was angry at your mother and made you carry part of that anger.
I am sorry.
Clara read it.
Then:
“Why did he say invited?”
“Because it was his house.”
“So he could make us leave?”
“Yes.”
“Could he make us dirty?”
“No.”
She nodded.
Simple legal distinction.
Power over property.
Not people.
She met him one year later with me present.
Richard did not ask for a hug.
Good.
He said:
“I was wrong.”
Clara asked:
“Do you still think I ruin dinner?”
His face broke.
“No.”
“That was mean.”
“Yes.”
Meeting over.
A relationship grew later.
May you like
Limited.
No automatic holidays.
