Chapter 20 - Marjorie’s Letter
Marjorie’s first apology was unusable.
“I’m sorry you misunderstood discipline.”
No.
Her therapist apparently agreed.
Second version arrived months later.
Ione,
I made you scrub floors after your hands became sore.
Direct.
I poured water over you.
There.
I made you sleep beside the laundry room twice as punishment.
There.
“I told you not to tell your dad because I knew he would stop me.”
Most important.
Then:
“I planned to take you to Canada without telling him beforehand.”
There.
“I had an old travel permission paper, but I knew that was not the same as him agreeing to this trip.”
Excellent.
Then:
“I thought I was teaching you to be independent.”
“I was actually teaching you that adults could take away comfort until you obeyed.”
That line hurt.
Then:
“Being independent means learning things you can do for yourself while still knowing safe adults will help you.”
Good.
No request for forgiveness.
No request to see.
Ione listened.
Then asked:
“Can I rip?”
“Your letter.”
She tore it in half.
Then stopped.
“Recycle.”
We recycled.
May you like
Marjorie’s apology did not need preservation to remain sincere.
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