Chapter 33 - maisie met celeste without promising forgiveness or another meeting
At nineteen, Maisie asked to see Celeste.
I said no.
Immediately.
Then closed my eyes.
Maisie waited.
“Want to try again?”
“Yes.”
I hated my child.
“Why?”
“I have questions.”
“You can write.”
“I want to see her answer.”
That mattered.
Face.
Pause.
Reaction.
Maisie wanted information words could hide.
The meeting occurred in Brooke’s office.
Neutral.
Audrey present at Maisie’s request.
Not me.
That was hard.
But correct.
Celeste looked older.
Not dramatically.
Seven years older.
No bridal costume.
No power.
Maisie entered bald.
Not as statement.
She had left her wig in the car because it was July.
Celeste cried immediately.
Maisie did not comfort her.
First question:
“Did you think cutting my wig would make Dad choose you?”
Celeste took time.
“Yes.”
Honest.
“How?”
“I thought if I humiliated you enough, you would leave the room.”
“And then?”
“The signing.”
“The wedding.”
“Everything would continue.”
Maisie stared.
“So you didn’t think he’d cancel?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Celeste cried.
“Because I thought adults protected important events from children’s emotions.”
There it was.
The worldview.
Wrong.
Clear.
Maisie’s second question:
“Did you love Dad?”
“Yes.”
“Did you love me?”
Celeste’s face broke.
“I wanted to.”
Not good enough.
But perhaps true.
Maisie asked:
“Did you?”
Celeste shook her head.
“Not the way a child deserved.”
Maisie looked down.
Audrey later told me that was the hardest moment.
Not anger.
Accuracy.
Celeste eventually said:
“I treated your father loving you as proof he loved me less.”
“I understand now those things were not competing.”
Maisie nodded.
Then stood.
Celeste asked no favor.
Good.
At the door Maisie stopped.
“I believe you’re sorry.”
Celeste cried harder.
Maisie continued.
“That doesn’t mean I want a relationship.”
“I understand.”
“I might never.”
“I know.”
No hug.
No future promise.
Outside, Maisie called me.
“Done.”
“You okay?”
“No.”
Then:
“Yes.”
Then:
“I don’t know.”
Finally:
“Can you pick me up?”
May you like
I was already in the parking garage.
Obviously.
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