Chapter 22 - REBECCA SPEAKS TO HELEN
Months later, Rebecca asked to see my mother.
I wanted to say no.
Her therapist asked:
“What does Rebecca want?”
Not me.
Rebecca wanted one meeting.
Supervised.
Neutral office.
She brought no apron.
Helen cried immediately.
Rebecca did not.
“I’m sorry,” Helen said.
Rebecca stared.
“For what?”
Good.
Specificity.
“For making you work at the party.”
“And?”
Helen struggled.
“For taking your phone.”
“And?”
“For telling you your father agreed.”
Rebecca’s chin trembled.
“And filming?”
“I didn’t film.”
“You let them.”
Helen looked down.
“Yes.”
Then Rebecca asked:
“Why did you want us embarrassed?”
Helen cried harder.
I hated seeing my mother cry.
I stayed quiet.
Finally:
“Because I thought you were becoming arrogant.”
Rebecca blinked.
“I told people Dad paid.”
“Yes.”
“That was true.”
Helen closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
There.
May you like
A ten-year-old had reached the place adults avoided.
Truth.
