Chapter 13 - Michael begins remembering his childhood differently
Michael had always believed Jessica was strict.
Now memories rearranged themselves.
He remembered asking:
“Where are my baby pictures?”
Jessica said:
“We lost a box during the move.”
He remembered no photographs of pregnant Jessica.
No hospital picture.
No birth story beyond vague phrases.
“You came quickly.”
“You were tiny.”
“You hated sleep.”
Stories anyone could tell after.
He remembered a woman visiting when he was four.
Maybe.
Long brown hair.
Crying in the foyer.
Jessica shouting.
He had always assumed dream.
Now:
“Was that Claire?”
Jessica refused to answer.
Then Michael found an old Christmas card in Harold’s papers.
Front:
A horse in snow.
Inside:
I know you won’t let me see him. Please tell Michael I love him.
Signed:
Claire.
Date:
Michael age five.
Jessica had kept it.
Not delivered.
That hurt him more than the adoption file.
“She tried.”
I sat beside him.
“Yes.”
“My whole life she said Claire abandoned me.”
I did not say:
Jessica is evil.
Too easy.
I said:
“She prevented at least one attempt.”
Specific.
May you like
That was enough.
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