Chapter 21 - LIESL MEETS NOLENE
Liesl was twenty-one.
Nolene was eighty.
Mediated office.
I waited elsewhere.
First question:
“Did you know I couldn’t breathe?”
Nolene cried.
“I knew you were struggling.”
“That’s not answer.”
“Yes.”
“Did you think taking mask could hurt me?”
“I convinced myself it wouldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because nurses were close.”
“So you risked me because help was nearby.”
“Yes.”
“Did you love Elliott more?”
“No.”
“Did you love me?”
“Yes.”
“Then why make us compete?”
Nolene looked down.
“Because I thought fairness meant I decided who needed what.”
Liesl said:
“That’s not fairness.”
“No.”
Then:
“Did Dad know?”
“No.”
“Did he help?”
“By trusting me too much, yes. Not knowingly.”
Good.
Correct size.
Liesl asked:
“Did you forge his signature?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he would have said no.”
There.
No administrative language.
No continuity.
No family need.
Because he would have said no.
The meeting lasted thirty-eight minutes.
No hug.
Nolene asked:
“Can I see you again?”
Liesl answered:
“I don’t know.”
She never scheduled another.
May you like
Allowed birthday cards.
Enough.
