Chapter 22 - THE APOLOGY
Melisande apologized to Ivo when he was thirteen.
Not before.
She asked.
He decided.
Public café.
Me at another table.
She said:
“I took things you earned because I wanted my daughter to look more accomplished.”
Ivo nodded.
“I remember project.”
“I know.”
“You broke it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because when you said I made you give me awards, I panicked. I wanted to destroy something that could prove you were telling the truth.”
That answer was ugly.
Good.
True.
“Were you going to tell school I stole hers?”
“Yes.”
“Even though you knew?”
“Yes.”
Ivo looked out the window.
Then:
“That could’ve got me in trouble.”
“I know.”
“Why were you mad at me?”
“I wasn’t really. I was jealous of your mom and afraid my daughter would seem less special.”
He stared.
“That’s dumb.”
“Yes.”
“Did Mom make you jealous?”
“No. That was mine.”
Excellent.
Then:
“Do I have to forgive?”
“No.”
He looked surprised.
“Okay.”
He finished his milkshake.
Meeting over.
He did not forgive that day.
Maybe ever in one neat word.
May you like
Relationship remained polite.
Enough.
