Chapter 24 - DIANE SEES LILY AGAINDiane did not see Lily for nearly two years.
Not because I wanted permanent revenge.
Because trust was nonexistent.
And because Lily was three when her grandmother struck her mother in the head and raised the bat again.
At five, Lily knew:
Grandma Diane got very angry.
Grandma Diane hurt Mom.
Adults made rules to keep everyone safe.
No graphic explanation.
Then her therapist asked whether she wanted contact.
Lily said:
“Maybe if Mom is there.”
So we arranged one supervised visit in a neutral family center.
Diane arrived early.
She did not reach for Lily.
Good.
She sat.
Lily hid partly behind me.
Diane said:
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi.”
No:
Come hug Grandma.
No:
Don’t you remember me?
No:
I’ve suffered enough.
They colored.
Twenty minutes.
Then Lily drew a house.
Diane asked:
“Is that yours?”
“Yes.”
“Am I there?”
Lily looked at the drawing.
“No.”
Diane’s face tightened.
Then she said:
May you like
“Okay.”
That single okay mattered more than crying would have.
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