Chapter 22 - THE MEETING WITH LENORA
Fletcher was twenty when he chose to meet Lenora.
One time.
Mediated office.
Hollis did not attend.
Neither did I.
Fletcher told me afterward.
First question:
“Why did you kick the bread?”
Lenora cried immediately.
“I wanted you to understand I controlled the meal.”
“Why did that matter?”
“Because your mother was refusing me.”
“I was four.”
“I know.”
“No, I mean why involve me?”
Lenora looked down.
“Because I believed hurting you would hurt her faster.”
Fletcher sat very still.
“Did you love me?”
“Yes.”
“More than control?”
Lenora did not answer quickly enough.
Fletcher nodded.
“Okay.”
Then:
“Did Dad tell you to do it?”
“No.”
“Did he know you might?”
“No.”
“Did he help pressure Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Lenora looked confused.
“Good?”
“I wanted one thing to be true in the correct size.”
That was my son.
Precision.
He asked about the trust.
“Did you think my branch was yours?”
Lenora answered:
“I thought I had earned the right to keep making decisions.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
There.
The meeting lasted twenty-nine minutes.
No hug.
Lenora asked:
“Can I write again?”
Fletcher said:
“Maybe.”
He never scheduled a second meeting.
He allowed birthday cards.
May you like
Nothing more.
That was enough.
