Chapter 23 - Imogen’s Letter to Sawyer
Two years after the incident, Imogen requested permission to send Sawyer a letter.
No direct delivery.
His therapist reviewed.
Then Caleb and I.
Then Sawyer decided.
He was seven.
He said:
“Read.”
Imogen wrote:
Sawyer,
I slapped you when you reached for your dinosaur.
Direct.
I had no right to hit you.
Good.
I also packed your room into boxes because I wanted Mason’s custody evaluator to think he had a permanent room in your house.
There.
Your room was not mine to take.
There.
Your father did not tell me you had to leave.
There.
I said that because I wanted your mother to believe I had permission.
There.
Then:
I was scared that Mason would live with his father more and that I would become less important to him.
That was an adult fear. It was not your job to solve it.
Good.
Then:
I called you a mistake.
There.
That was cruel and untrue.
Your parents did not owe me any explanation for how or when you were born. You never needed to earn your place in your family.
Good.
No request to see him.
No:
I hope you forgive.
Sawyer listened.
Then:
“She sorry?”
“Yes.”
“Do I see?”
“Only if you want.”
“No.”
Done.
He asked to keep letter?
“No.”
We archived it.
Not in his room.
May you like
Children should not have to sleep beside adult remorse.
────────────────────
