Chapter 13 - Marnie’s anger changes direction
At first Marnie blamed Valeria.
Then she blamed me.
“You let her sit there.”
“Yes.”
“You let her wear Mommy’s colors.”
I did not know what that meant.
“What colors?”
“Silver.”
Celeste wore silver at foundation dinners often.
I almost told her clothing did not belong to the dead.
But that was not what she was saying.
“You thought I was okay.”
“I thought you were grieving.”
“I told you I didn’t like her.”
“Yes.”
“You said be polite.”
There.
A father teaching manners while missing danger.
“I was wrong to make politeness more important than listening.”
Marnie looked at me.
“You always say be nice to guests.”
“You should be respectful when it’s safe.”
“And if not?”
“You find me.”
“What if you’re talking?”
“Interrupt me.”
“What if important?”
“You are important.”
She stared.
Then:
“Mommy was more important.”
I understood the fear beneath it.
“No.”
She frowned.
“Different.”
That was closer.
“Your mother was my wife. You are my daughter. Neither position replaces the other.”
Marnie’s eyes filled.
“Then why did Valeria say Mommy gave her everything?”
“She lied about what your mother gave her.”
May you like
That answer settled something.
Not everything.
