Chapter 13 - Vivian’s First Apology Still Wanted Something Back
Seven months later, a letter arrived.
Marcus read it first.
Elsie,
I am sorry my attempts to help you become stronger frightened you.
Marcus stopped.
Same problem.
Help.
Strength.
Frightened.
Everything framed around good intentions.
The letter continued:
I struggled to find my place in a family where your mother’s memory remained very powerful.
Still about Vivian.
Then:
I hope one day you understand I wanted what was best for all of us.
Marcus put it down.
Elsie never received that version.
A second letter came nearly a year later.
Different.
Elsie,
I recorded you without your knowledge. I deliberately upset you and then used your reactions to make you seem less emotionally healthy than you were. I contacted a residential school without your father’s permission because I wanted more distance between you and our future marriage.
Marcus kept reading.
When you found the recording storage inside your pillow, I frightened you because I was afraid you would expose what I had done. Burning your hair was cruel. Your grief for your mother was never something you needed to earn the right to feel.
Then:
You owe me nothing.
Marcus showed the letter to Elsie’s therapist.
Eventually Elsie chose to read it.
She did not respond.
She kept it.
That was enough.
An apology had finally become accurate.
May you like
Accuracy did not require reunion.
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