Chapter 14 - Michael’s Apology Failed Until He Stopped Saying “But”
His first letter:
I am sorry you got hurt, but you know Sunday got out of control.
Emily handed it back to:
me.
“Trash.”
I did not argue.
His second:
I should never have put my hands on you, but I was under enormous stress.
Also:
trash.
Months later, after a certified batterer-intervention program and individual therapy, a third letter arrived.
Short.
Emily, I pushed you.
You did not make me do it.
I knew you were hurting afterward and I was afraid of what you might tell people, so I minimized your pain instead of getting you help.
That was dangerous and selfish.
You do not owe me contact or forgiveness.
Emily read it twice.
Then:
“He finally wrote what happened.”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I believe he understands the sentence.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Smart girl.
I answered:
“I don’t know yet whether he has changed.”
“Good.”
She folded the letter.
Kept:
it.
Not as:
forgiveness.
Evidence that for once the adult accepted:
May you like
his version was not the only version.
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