Chapter 24 - Molly’s question
Molly was seven when she asked me something I had not prepared for.
We were at Daniel’s soccer game.
Rebecca sat two seats away.
Molly leaned toward me.
“Were you married to my dad when I was born?”
Children.
No warning.
“Yes.”
She frowned.
“Did you know me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
I looked toward Rebecca.
She gave a tiny nod.
Truth, age-appropriate.
“Your dad had not told me about you.”
“Why?”
“That’s something he should explain to you when you want to ask him.”
She stared at me.
“Were you mad?”
“Yes.”
“At me?”
“No.”
Immediate.
“Never at you.”
She nodded.
Then:
“Mom says that too.”
Good.
Rebecca and I had agreed on one thing from the beginning.
No child would inherit adult blame.
Molly had not destroyed my marriage by being conceived.
Lucas had not validated Naya’s affair by being born.
Daniel had not caused the baby-shower explosion by discovering evidence.
Children are consequences of adult choices sometimes.
They are not culpability.
May you like
That distinction sounds obvious.
Families fail it constantly.
