Chapter 23 - Eugenia’s Letter to Niles
Niles was eight before therapist and lawyers agreed he could receive a simplified apology.
Eugenia wrote:
Niles,
At your fifth birthday, I put garbage in your present and dumped it over you.
Direct.
“I did that because I was angry and scared about adult family business.”
There.
“You did not cause that problem.”
Then:
“I told people you were not your dad’s biological son. That was false.”
Good.
“Your dad is your biological father.”
Then:
“I also said that DNA decides whether someone belongs in our family. I was wrong about that too.”
Important.
No trust percentages.
No board politics.
Then:
“I am sorry.”
No request to see him.
Niles listened.
Then:
“Can she come birthday?”
His ninth was approaching.
“Do you want her?”
“Maybe cake only.”
Specific.
We arranged a forty-five-minute supervised appearance.
No large gifts.
Eugenia brought a flat envelope.
Niles froze.
Then she said:
“Gift card.”
He opened.
Bookstore.
Fine.
No DNA.
No symbolism.
May you like
Progress sometimes begins with choosing boring packaging.
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