Chapter 14 - Lily Remembered the Slap Better Than I Hoped
Lily was five.
I wanted to believe she would:
forget.
She didn’t.
Months later, while we were driving, she asked:
“Why did Grandma hit you?”
I gripped the steering wheel.
“Because she was angry.”
“Are grown-ups allowed?”
“No.”
“Did you do something bad?”
There it was.
Children often assume punishment proves:
guilt.
“No.”
“Even if I had done something wrong, she still shouldn’t hit me.”
Lily thought.
“Are we mad at Grandma?”
“I was very mad.”
“Now?”
“I’m careful.”
That felt more accurate.
Diane did not see Lily for:
six months.
Not punishment.
Safety.
I needed to know Diane could:
accept responsibility,
respect my parenting,
stop using Lily as a route back to:
me.
Eventually there was:
a short lunch.
Public.
One hour.
Diane apologized directly to Lily.
“I scared you when I hit your mom.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
Lily asked:
“Are you gonna do it again?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
Then ate:
fries.
Five-year-old relationships are sometimes healthier because they do not require theatrical forgiveness.
May you like
The adults do.
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