Chapter 23 - Helen apologizes badly
Helen’s first apology:
“I’m sorry Naomi turned everything into such a disaster.”
No.
Second:
“I’m sorry Lily got hurt.”
Passive.
Third came almost a year later.
“I’m sorry I saw Lily on the ground and went to Carla first.”
I stopped.
Good.
Then:
“I’m sorry I said she deserved it.”
Good.
“I believed Lily’s behavior had become so disrespectful that I interpreted her injury as consequence before I had even checked whether she was okay.”
There.
Specific.
Then:
“I participated in rules designed to keep Naomi from knowing things we knew she would object to.”
Better.
Finally:
“I thought Naomi’s boundaries were insulting to me, so I treated them like opinions instead of parental decisions.”
That was the core.
I replied:
“Thank you for stating it accurately.”
No immediate visit.
No forgiveness ceremony.
May you like
Truth first.
Access later.
