My seven-year-old daughter told police, “He did it again”—then a metallic bang came from beneath our apartment
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Chapter 22 / 27
Chapter 22 - Lily asks why I went downstairs
Lily was eight when she finally asked:
“Why did you go if you thought Dad did it?”
There was no good answer.
We were eating pancakes.
I said:
“I thought I could fix the lights fast.”
“But you said don’t follow.”
“Yes.”
“So you knew something.”
Children are brutal logicians.
“I was worried.”
“Then why?”
I breathed.
“Because grown-ups can know something feels wrong and still make a bad choice.”
She considered.
“Like touching a hot pan?”
“More complicated.”
“Still bad choice?”
“Yes.”
“Dad made worse.”
I stared at her.
“Yes.”
Then:
“Your bad choice didn’t make Dad’s okay.”
I smiled sadly.
“Correct.”
May you like
She ate another bite.
We had finally arrived at the lesson without making either of us responsible for his actions.
