Chapter 13 - Corinne Wanted Forgiveness Before She Understood Accountability
Mom started therapy.
So did Bennett.
Their marriage did not survive the investigation.
That did not make me happy.
It simply removed one excuse they had used for years.
Mom’s early letters to me were full of explanations.
I was terrified.
Everything happened so fast.
I thought you were stronger.
I knew you could find the laundry door.
I refused to read the fourth letter.
Tessa returned it through the caseworker.
Months later, another arrived.
Different.
It said:
I kept calling you strong because it allowed me to ask less of myself as your mother.
I read that one twice.
Then:
I treated your ability to survive as proof that you needed less protection. That was wrong.
No request for forgiveness.
No demand for a visit.
No:
But Jonah was younger.
For the first time, Mom was describing her choice instead of my personality.
I still wasn’t ready to see her.
May you like
Accountability does not create an obligation to reconcile on somebody else’s schedule.
---
