Chapter 25 - Richard writes to Lily
From prison, my father wrote letters.
To me.
Michael.
Claire.
Lily.
Claire refused hers.
Michael read his after six months.
I read mine immediately.
Regretted it.
Richard still justified too much.
“I made catastrophic decisions under pressure.”
Under pressure.
Not:
I chose.
Over time his language changed.
Maybe therapy.
Maybe age.
Maybe reality.
Two years after sentencing he wrote Lily a short letter.
I did not give it to her automatically.
Samantha and I reviewed with her therapist.
Then asked Lily, now nine:
“Grandpa wrote you. Want to read it?”
“From jail?”
“Yes.”
“Why jail?”
She knew age-appropriate facts.
“He helped keep Aunt Claire locked in the room and lied about where she was.”
“I know.”
Then:
“Letter say sorry?”
“I think so.”
“Okay.”
She read.
Dear Lily,
You heard something the adults in the house failed to hear.
I am grateful you told your father.
I also want you to know that what happened to Claire was caused by choices I made. It was never your job to fix those choices.
Good.
I used my authority in ways that hurt people I loved.
Good.
I am sorry that my actions put fear inside a home that should have been safe for you.
Good.
No request to visit.
No:
I hope you remember the good Grandpa.
No emotional invoice.
Lily folded the letter.
“Do I write?”
“Only if you want.”
“No.”
“Okay.”
Three weeks later she changed her mind.
She drew a dog.
We did not have a dog.
Under it:
I HEARD YOU ARE LEARNING BETTER CHOICES.
Children.
Richard reportedly laughed when he received it.
He wrote no immediate reply.
May you like
That was wise.
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