Chapter 23 - ROBERT’S APOLOGY THAT WASN’T
Dad wrote me a six-page letter.
First page:
I am sorry the birthday escalated.
Bad start.
Second:
I regret your children felt uncomfortable.
Worse.
Third:
You have misunderstood the burdens of patriarchal responsibility.
I stopped reading.
Laura said:
“Finish.”
“Why?”
“Because documents surprise people.”
Page five.
The property deal.
Robert admitted he assumed I would sign because:
Thomas has historically supported family opportunities once he has time to consider them.
Then:
The children’s service roles were intended to communicate that financial privilege does not relieve family responsibility.
Not apology.
A manifesto.
I called him.
First direct call in four months.
“Dad.”
“I assume you read it.”
“Yes.”
“Then you understand.”
“No.”
Silence.
“I understand you still think humiliating them was justified.”
“I said it was mishandled.”
“Would you do it again?”
He did not answer.
That was my answer.
“No unsupervised contact with the kids.”
His voice changed.
“You can’t keep my grandchildren from me forever.”
“I’m not deciding forever.”
“You’re punishing me.”
“I’m protecting them.”
“You sound exactly like your mother when she’s angry.”
May you like
Maybe.
I ended the call before anger made me worse.
