Chapter 23 - Margaret’s Letter
Margaret wrote me after the criminal case reached resolution.
I almost threw the letter away.
Then read it.
Emily,
I knew Ethan frightened you before Easter.
Direct.
Good start.
She continued:
I did not know the full extent of the physical violence, but I knew enough that I should have asked different questions.
Then:
When Ethan showed me recordings of you yelling and photographs of his injuries, I wanted them to explain everything because that explanation required nothing from me.
That line was painfully accurate.
She wrote:
I signed a statement about your father because I thought Richard was escalating Ethan.
I now understand Ethan was collecting Richard’s reactions while hiding the events that caused them.
Then:
I helped make you harder to believe.
I stopped.
Read that twice.
That was the apology I needed.
Not:
Sorry things became complicated.
Not:
We all made mistakes.
I helped make you harder to believe.
Yes.
May you like
I never restored a relationship with Margaret.
But I kept the letter.
