Chapter 22 - Margaret’s first real apology
Margaret did not see Evan directly for fifteen months.
Some relatives thought that was too long.
Others thought never would be appropriate.
Neither group mattered.
Evan mattered.
At first he said:
“No.”
Then:
“Maybe later.”
Then after Robert’s divorce finalized:
“I want to ask her something.”
We arranged a therapist-guided visit.
Margaret wore no pearls.
I noticed.
Probably meaningless.
Still noticed.
Evan sat in an armchair.
Margaret across from him.
Daniel present.
I was there because Evan asked.
Margaret began:
“I’m sorry about Thanksgiving.”
Dr. Lin waited.
So did Evan.
Margaret looked at him.
“I put dog food in front of you on purpose.”
Good.
“Why?”
He did not need therapist language.
Margaret answered:
“Because I thought embarrassing you would teach you not to complain about food.”
“Did it?”
“No.”
“What did it teach me?”
Margaret’s face changed.
She had probably prepared.
Not for that.
“I think it taught you I might be mean if you told me you didn’t like something.”
Evan nodded.
“Yes.”
Margaret swallowed.
“I was wrong.”
“Did Dad know?”
“Yes.”
Daniel did not flinch.
Good.
“Did Grandpa?”
“Not before dinner.”
“Did you hate me?”
There.
Margaret started crying.
“No.”
“Then why?”
She answered the only useful way.
“Because loving you did not stop me from making a cruel choice.”
I looked away.
That sentence cost her something.
Good.
Evan asked:
“Do you still think I eat like an animal?”
“No.”
“I still don’t like your gravy.”
Margaret laughed once.
Then immediately stopped and checked his face.
Evan was smiling.
Available joke.
Different.
“No gravy,” she said.
Progress.
May you like
No hug.
Visit ended after twenty-five minutes.
