Chapter 24 - THE LETTER
When Ilaria was nine, Adrienne’s old request to send an apology letter came up again.
Maya no longer treated the idea as automatically harmful.
Question:
Did Ilaria want it?
I asked carefully.
“You can say no.”
“What letter?”
“Adrienne wrote something years ago.”
Ilaria went quiet.
“About water?”
“Yes.”
“Do I have to read?”
“No.”
She thought.
“Not now.”
Fine.
Two years later:
“Yes.”
We retrieved it from counsel.
Adrienne wrote:
I tried to make you call me Mom because I wanted the word to prove that I had a place in your family.
Then:
I used your grief and your dependence on adults to pressure you. That was wrong.
Then:
Your mother did not die because of you.
Good.
And:
You did not cost me my wedding, my business opportunity, or my freedom. Those consequences came from choices I made.
Very good.
No request for forgiveness.
No:
I hope we can meet.
Ilaria finished.
Folded it.
“Do I answer?”
“Only if you want.”
“No.”
May you like
That was the end.
Not every apology opens a door.
