Chapter 21 - LENORA’S APOLOGY
Her first letter:
Elsie,
I am sorry you were upset during the portrait.
Rejected.
Second:
I should not have moved you from the chair so abruptly.
No.
Third came after counseling.
Elsie,
I pulled you out of your chair because I believed something about family that gave me no right to touch you.
You fell because of what I did.
I also used words about blood to make you feel as if you were not really part of your family.
That was wrong.
Your father and mother adopted you. You are their daughter.
You do not have to forgive me or see me.
Better.
Dr. Mills asked Elsie:
“Do you want me to read a letter from Aunt Lenora?”
“Does it say fake?”
“It talks about that.”
Elsie thought.
“No.”
Two months later:
“Yes.”
She listened.
Then asked:
“Is she still mean?”
I answered:
“She did something mean.”
“Is she sorry?”
“She says she is.”
“Do I see her?”
“Not unless you want to and adults decide it’s safe.”
Elsie nodded.
“Not yet.”
May you like
Done.
No forgiveness ceremony.
