Chapter 20 - Walter’s Letter to Lily
Lily’s came later.
She was six.
Walter wrote:
Lily,
At the barbecue I hurt your hand with hot barbecue tongs because you did not apologize when I told you to.
There.
You were telling the truth that you and Mason bumped into each other.
Good.
I did not listen.
Then:
Even if you had misbehaved, I had no right to burn you.
There.
Then hardest:
Your dad hit me afterward. That was his responsibility, not yours. My hurting you was my responsibility, not his.
Good.
Separating.
Then:
You never have to see me because I apologized.
Excellent.
Lily listened.
Asked:
“Can I draw on it?”
Dr. Reynolds smiled.
“Your letter.”
She drew a purple flower in margin.
Then:
“Do I see Grandpa?”
“Your choice,” I said.
“No.”
At seven:
Still no.
At eight:
“Maybe if Grandma there.”
We did not rush.
Walter’s right to reconciliation did not exist.
May you like
Only Lily’s right to decide within safety.
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