Chapter 21 - Laura’s apology
Laura apologized many times.
The first:
“I’m sorry I trusted him.”
Too broad.
Second:
“I’m sorry I missed it.”
Still vague.
The useful apology came a year later.
We were in a family-therapy session with Emily.
Laura said:
“Emily, you told me Derek made you uncomfortable.”
Emily looked at the floor.
“Yes.”
“You told me he called you a baby for wanting Dad.”
“Yes.”
“You told me he made you sit alone when he was angry.”
“Yes.”
Laura’s voice shook.
“I kept asking myself whether each thing was bad enough instead of asking whether you felt safe.”
That was it.
“I was afraid Dad would think I had made a bad choice bringing Derek into the house.”
I looked at her.
She continued:
“So sometimes I defended Derek because admitting you were right felt like admitting I was wrong.”
Painful.
Specific.
“I am sorry I made my pride part of your safety.”
Emily stared.
Then:
“Do you believe me now?”
Laura cried.
May you like
“Yes.”
That question was the entire story for her.
