Chapter 21 - MELISANDE’S DAUGHTER CHOOSES THEATER
At twelve, my niece quit Alden’s advanced academic track.
Not school.
Track.
She wanted theater and visual design.
Melisande panicked for approximately forty-eight hours.
Then called me.
First direct call in years.
“I want to tell her she’s wasting opportunities.”
“Are you asking me for advice?”
“Yes.”
That was new.
“Ask whether she understands the consequences.”
“She’s twelve.”
“Then there are probably not many permanent consequences.”
Silence.
“I hate that you make things sound simple.”
“They’re often simple before adults decorate them.”
She laughed once.
Unexpected.
My niece joined theater.
Loved set design more than acting.
Built cardboard cities.
That nearly broke me with symbolism.
I said nothing.
Not everything needs to be narrated.
Ivo attended one performance.
Afterward he told her:
“Your buildings are better than mine.”
She answered:
“Obviously.”
Cousins again.
May you like
Not best friends.
Enough.
