Chapter 14 - JUDITH’S APOLOGYJudith’s first apology came six months after the party.
I’m sorry things became physical.
No.
Things did not become physical by weather.
She grabbed my hair.
I returned it.
Second attempt:
I’m sorry I lost my temper when I believed you had taken my money.
Still false framing.
She knew I hadn’t.
A year later, another letter arrived.
This one was different.
Allison, I knew you had not transferred the money.
Good.
I agreed to accuse you because I wanted a record that could be used to remove you as trustee.
Accurate.
I grabbed your hair because you refused to act ashamed, and I wanted to humiliate you in front of the family.
That sentence hurt.
Because it was true.
Then:
I blamed loyalty to my sons. In reality, I believed being their mother gave me permission to harm anyone standing between them and what they wanted.
I sat with that for a long time.
Finally:
It did not.
No request for forgiveness.
No demand for access.
No “but.”
I accepted the apology in writing.
May you like
I did not resume a close relationship.
Both choices were allowed.
