Chapter 13 - Raymond Wanted a Relationship More Than He Understood Responsibility
Raymond’s legal case did not turn into some dramatic life sentence.
He faced consequences tied to trespass, violating property access, and his conduct toward Ellie.
He was ordered to stay away while the matter proceeded.
More importantly, he finally underwent the kind of evaluation Linda had spent years insisting he no longer needed.
He wrote several letters.
I did not give them to Ellie.
Not yet.
One was to me.
He said:
“I only wanted to meet my granddaughter.”
That was probably true.
It was also insufficient.
Wanting something does not create entitlement to it.
Especially a child.
Later in the letter, however, he wrote something more meaningful:
I kept thinking Caroline denied me a relationship because she hated me. I am starting to understand she denied me because I never learned to accept no without treating it like an attack.
I read that line several times.
I still did not allow contact.
Understanding is the beginning of change.
Not proof of it.
May you like
Ellie’s safety would not become a test of whether Raymond had improved.
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