Chapter 22 - Daniel’s apology
Daniel’s first apology came thirty-six hours after the slap.
I’m sorry things got physical.
No.
Second:
I should not have lost control.
Closer.
Still centered loss of control, as if his hand had acted while Daniel watched.
Third came through a court-required intervention program months later.
I slapped you.
Good.
I did it because you said no in front of my mother and I felt humiliated.
There.
I had started treating Bellweather as mine because I lived there, managed events there, and used it to signal success. I knew the paperwork said otherwise.
There.
I also let Mom think I funded her support because I liked being the son who took care of everyone.
That was new.
When you threatened that identity by refusing the loan and leaving the party, I reacted as though you were taking something from me.
Yes.
Then:
You were taking yourself out of a situation. I was not entitled to stop you.
I put the letter down.
No request to reconcile.
Good.
He added one line at the end:
You did not owe my business your house because you were my wife.
That sentence probably cost him more than the fine.
I believed him.
May you like
Trust did not return.
But belief was a start.
