Chapter 9
Margaret asked to see Clara.
I said no.
Not yet.
She cried.
I let her.
Love does not create immediate access after betrayal.
Three months later, Clara asked:
“Where Grandma Margaret?”
I told her.
“Home.”
“Mad?”
“No.”
“Sad?”
“Probably.”
“Can see?”
Her choice.
We arranged a garden visit.
Margaret arrived with no gifts.
Good.
She crouched.
Clara looked at her.
“You told me Mommy wants wedding.”
Margaret started crying.
“Yes.”
“Mommy dead.”
“Yes.”
“She can’t want wedding.”
That broke the old woman.
“No.”
Clara continued.
“You lied.”
“Yes.”
Specific.
No explanation first.
Good.
Then Clara asked:
“Why?”
Margaret answered:
“Because I was scared I’d lose you.”
Clara frowned.
“You made me scared.”
There.
Children are efficient.
Margaret nodded.
“I did.”
No hug.
Not yet.
Then Clara picked a flower.
Handed it to Nell.
Not Margaret.
That hurt her.
May you like
She accepted it.
Good.
