Chapter 14 - MARGARET APOLOGIZED WITHOUT SAYING DNAIt took almost a year.
Therapy.
Family separation.
Legal proceedings.
Public fallout.
Then Margaret asked to write Lily a letter.
We reviewed it with Lily’s therapist.
The first draft was rejected.
It said:
I was confused about your place in the family.
No.
She was not confused.
She humiliated a child.
Second draft:
I let old family secrets affect how I treated you.
Better.
Still evasive.
The final version said:
I locked you outside because I wanted you to feel that you did not belong.
Then:
I told you your father was not your father even though I did not know that was true.
Then:
I used fear about my own past against you.
Good.
And finally:
You did nothing wrong. You did not have to prove anything to me.
Lily listened.
Then asked:
“Do I have to see her?”
“No.”
“Can I later?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
May you like
Choice.
That was the repair.
