Chapter 27 - clara confronted preston about choosing veronica over amelia
At fifteen, Clara asked Preston directly.
“Why did you choose Grandma?”
No mediator.
No Amelia.
They were walking near his apartment after dinner.
Preston apparently stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.
“What do you mean?”
“At wedding.”
He knew.
Clara knew he knew.
“Mom said you knew she would say no.”
“Yes.”
“And Grandma sprayed her.”
“Yes.”
“And then you kicked Mom.”
His face changed.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Preston did not say stress.
Debt.
Panic.
He said:
“Because if your mother was right, then I had to admit I had been lying to her for months.”
Clara listened.
“And I was afraid of what that meant about me.”
“So you hurt her?”
“Yes.”
“That’s coward.”
The exact word from Chapter 14.
Preston nodded.
“Yes.”
Clara cried.
Then:
“Did you love Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Then love didn’t stop you.”
“No.”
Clara looked frightened.
That question mattered more than blame.
If love did not guarantee safety, what did?
Preston answered before she asked.
“Love is not enough by itself.”
“You need respect.”
“Self-control.”
“Honesty.”
“And the ability to let somebody say no to you.”
Clara wiped her face.
“Do you let me say no?”
“I try.”
“Grandma?”
“Better than before.”
“Mom?”
Preston smiled faintly.
“You should ask her.”
Clara did.
Amelia hated him for that.
May you like
Then answered honestly.
“I’m learning too.”
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