Chapter 14 - June Chose Not To See Celeste
When June was ten, Helen told her that Celeste had written a genuine apology.
By then, with help from a child therapist, June was old enough to decide whether she wanted to read it.
She did.
The letter was short.
June,
I shoved you into the hallway mirror when you were seven. Before that, I threatened you with your mother’s job and treated you as though your mother’s work made you less important than other children. I was wrong. You did nothing to deserve it. I am sorry. You do not owe me forgiveness or contact.
June read it twice.
Then folded it.
“What do you want to do?” Helen asked.
“Keep it.”
“Do you want to answer?”
“No.”
“Do you want to see her?”
June thought for a long time.
Then shook her head.
“No.”
That decision stood.
No adults telling her forgiveness would be good for everyone.
No family reunion staged for closure.
No pressure.
Celeste had finally written the apology June deserved.
June had every right to receive it without opening the door again.
That was another lesson I wish adults learned as easily as children sometimes do.
May you like
An apology can be necessary.
Acceptance is optional.
