Chapter 18 - Rafferty Speaks to His Mother
Before trial, Rafferty asked Lysandra one question.
“Why did you stay?”
They sat at our kitchen table.
I was there because both asked.
Lysandra answered:
“Because I loved him.”
Then:
“Because I was scared.”
“Of what?”
“Starting over.”
“Money?”
“Some.”
“Violence?”
“No.”
Ambrose had not been physically abusive toward her according to her account.
“Then?”
“His certainty.”
That was interesting.
“He made disagreement feel like stupidity.”
Rafferty stared.
“So you hid behind him.”
“Yes.”
“And unlocked doors after.”
“Yes.”
“Did that make you feel good?”
“No.”
“Then why keep doing it?”
“I told myself I was balancing him.”
There.
Not stopping system.
Balancing.
Exactly what she did with keys.
Secretly counteract instead of openly confront.
Then Callum.
She found keys.
Hid them.
Planned to intervene later.
Same pattern.
Rafferty whispered:
“You didn't change.”
She cried.
“No.”
Then:
“I am trying now.”
Good.
No instant forgiveness.
Rafferty stood.
Walked around table.
Hugged her.
Not because everything fixed.
Because he wanted to.
May you like
I watched.
Family repair can happen without pretending the past was smaller.
