Chapter 23 - My apology to Lily
I apologized to Lily.
Not because I caused Vanessa’s behavior.
Because after the incident, my anger made Lily feel as though she was part of the family side I hated.
At a supervised cousin visit, Lily stayed near the doorway.
I asked:
“Do you think I’m mad at you?”
She shrugged.
That meant yes.
“Why?”
“Because Mom.”
I sat.
“Your mom did something wrong. You did not.”
“She’s still my mom.”
“I know.”
“You hate her.”
I thought carefully.
“I’m very angry with her.”
“That’s hate.”
“Sometimes they feel similar.”
She looked down.
I continued:
“You are allowed to love your mom.”
She looked up.
“You won’t be mad?”
“No.”
“Even if I want to see her?”
“No.”
She started crying.
That told me how much adult loyalty she had been carrying.
I said:
May you like
“I’m sorry grown-ups made you feel like loving one person means betraying another.”
That became one of the more important apologies in the family.
