Chapter 13 - MY MOTHER
Mom apologized badly first.
“I should never have compared them.”
Correct.
“But Melisande has always been sensitive.”
Wrong direction.
I stopped her.
“Her sensitivity did not make her take Ivo’s medal.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t put your sentence next to hers.”
Mom stared.
That became our family’s new discipline.
Keep wrongs in correct size.
Mom labeled children.
Harmful.
Melisande fabricated achievements.
Much larger.
I leaked a video through family recklessness.
My responsibility.
My niece used materials because adults told her they were shared.
Child responsibility minimal.
Ivo hid awards being taken because he was afraid.
No fault.
Different things.
Mom eventually resigned from the family education trust completely.
Her choice.
“I don’t trust myself not to favor whichever child seems to need me most.”
That was surprisingly self-aware.
Professional administrator took over.
Family could still recommend.
No unilateral approvals.
At Thanksgiving, Mom asked whether Melisande could attend.
“No.”
Not yet.
“Lucasta.”
“I’m not punishing you.”
“She’s your sister.”
“I know.”
“Family needs a way back.”
“Sometimes.”
“When?”
“When the people harmed can be in the room safely.”
Mom did not like it.
May you like
She respected it.
Progress.
