Chapter 22 - Vanessa writes to Lily
Two years after the gala, a letter arrived through attorneys.
For Lily.
I did not hand it to her.
Not immediately.
She was six.
Her therapist and I reviewed it.
Vanessa wrote:
You saw me do something unsafe. You told your dad. You did the right thing.
Good.
Then:
I am sorry you became afraid that drinks could hurt people you love.
Good.
Then:
You did not make me go away. My decisions did.
Very good.
No request for forgiveness.
No:
I loved you like a mother.
No explanation about invoices.
I saved it.
At seven, Lily asked:
“Does Vanessa know I told?”
“Yes.”
“Mad?”
“No.”
“How know?”
“She wrote something.”
Lily wanted to read it.
We did together.
She paused after:
My decisions did.
Then signed:
“Good.”
That was all.
She put the letter inside a drawer.
Months later I found stickers on it.
May you like
A unicorn over Vanessa’s signature.
Children have their own archival standards.
