Chapter 25 - Marjorie Returns to Ione’s Life
Ione was nine.
First meeting:
A botanical garden.
One hour.
Me nearby.
Marjorie arrived with no gifts.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Can I hug?”
Ione said:
“No.”
Marjorie nodded.
They walked.
Ione asked:
“Do you still think I’m spoiled?”
Marjorie answered:
“Sometimes.”
I almost intervened.
Then:
“Every child is spoiled about some things. That doesn’t give me the right to treat you the way I did.”
Better.
Ione looked at me.
I shrugged slightly.
She asked:
“Do you think chores?”
“Yes.”
“Dad makes chores.”
“I know.”
“Not brush.”
“No.”
Then:
“Would you take me Canada?”
“Only if your father and you wanted.”
There.
“And passport?”
“Your father keeps it.”
“Good.”
The meeting ended without hug.
Second meeting months later:
Ione hugged goodbye.
Her choice.
Marjorie cried afterward, not in front of her.
Good.
May you like
No child managing adult tears.
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