Chapter 10 - Grandpa’s apology that wasn’t
Frank sent Lily a card.
Against my wishes?
No.
He asked through Melissa.
I agreed to read it first.
It said:
Grandpa is sorry everyone got upset at the barbecue.
No.
Then:
I was only teasing because I know you’re a big girl now.
Worse.
Then:
I hope next time we can all laugh together.
Absolutely not.
I did not give it to Lily.
I returned it with a note.
Try again when you can name what you did without making her reaction the problem.
Dad called me.
“You don’t get to censor my relationship with my granddaughter.”
“I do get to control what communications reach my six-year-old when they blame her.”
“You’re poisoning her.”
“No.”
“You think therapy language makes you smarter than everybody.”
“There was no therapy language in my note.”
Silence.
Then:
“You always do this.”
“What?”
“Turn everything into a trial.”
I almost took the bait.
Instead:
“Goodbye, Dad.”
That was new.
Not winning.
Ending.
May you like
He called twice more.
I did not answer.
