Chapter 11 - VANESSA’S FIRST APOLOGY WAS ABOUT THE WRONG THINGVanessa sent Mom flowers.

Mom returned them.
Then a letter.
I am sorry I did not recognize you.
Mom returned that too.
Vanessa finally asked:
“What am I supposed to say?”
Mom answered through counsel:
“The truth would be a start.”
Months later, a new letter came.
Catherine, I ordered you to kneel because I believed you were household staff and believed that gave me social permission to humiliate you.
Accurate.
I was showing off for people whose approval I wanted.
Good.
I am ashamed that learning who you were changed my behavior before my values changed.
Better.
Then:
I also used your foundation event to promote Hart Advisory without authorization because I wanted my father to see me as useful.
There.
Mom read it.
Then set it aside.
No instant forgiveness.
She said:
May you like
“That sounds like the beginning of someone understanding herself.”
That was all.
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