Chapter 7 - MOM’S APOLOGY
Mom’s first real apology came six days after dinner.
A letter.
Hand-delivered to Lena’s building.
Jodie,
I am ashamed of throwing the bowl. I lost my temper. There is no excuse for physically hurting you.
Good beginning.
Then:
But I hope you can understand that tensions were exceptionally high because the company was facing a critical deadline and you had been refusing reasonable requests for weeks.
There it was.
The but.
I stopped reading.
Two days later, another letter.
No but.
I threw the bowl at you. I injured your face. I am sorry.
I read the rest.
She said Tawny’s servant comment was cruel.
She said she had spent years depending on me too much.
She did not mention the trust notice.
Or the forged guarantee.
I sent no reply.
People around me kept asking whether silence was strategic.
It wasn’t.
I did not know what to say that would not become either comfort or explosion.
Mom’s criminal case moved slowly.
The deputy interviewed dinner witnesses.
Most confirmed the bowl was thrown intentionally toward me.
Two said they believed Mom aimed at the table beside me.
One said she heard Mom say:
“If you won’t act like family, don’t sit at my table.”
I had forgotten that.
Tawny confirmed the servant comment.
Her lawyer advised her to cooperate.
“Why did you say it?” the investigator asked.
Tawny answered:
“Because Jodie always acted like everyone else was incompetent.”
Not remorse.
At least honesty.
“Did she pour your wine usually?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she was next to it.”
“Why snap your fingers?”
Tawny went quiet.
“Because I was being an asshole.”
May you like
That phrase appeared in the interview summary.
It was the first responsibility she took.
