Chapter 19 - Walter’s Letter to Mason
Walter wrote Mason first.
Not Lily.
Why?
Mason had carried the secret longer.
The letter came through Mason’s therapist and parents.
Mason was nine by then.
It said:
Mason,
I burned your wrist with barbecue tongs.
Direct.
I told myself I was teaching you not to reach near a hot grill.
There.
I was wrong.
Then:
A safe adult moves a child away from danger. A safe adult does not create pain to make danger memorable.
That sentence sounded like therapist.
Fine.
Sometimes people need help finding correct words.
Then:
When you told your mother, I said you exaggerated because I was ashamed.
There.
Not exact? Walter had said he intended scare not burn. But "exaggerated" was part.
I made it harder for people to believe you.
There.
Then:
When Lily was hurt, you told the truth again. I am grateful you did even though it exposed me.
Good.
No request to forgive.
Mason listened.
Then asked:
“Does Grandpa go jail because me?”
Tyler answered:
“No. Grandpa has consequences because of what Grandpa did.”
Important.
Mason kept letter.
Not framed.
Stuffed into desk drawer.
At ten he used back to draw a robot.
His mother nearly objected.
Then stopped.
His letter.
His paper.
May you like
Remorse does not own stationery forever.
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