Chapter 13
Davina left the city.
Not exiled.
Choice.
She moved near her aunt in Rhode Island.
Worked with a small hospitality company.
I knew because she told Nella once.
Not me.
Interesting.
Nella had become the person Davina apologized to most directly.
Why?
Because Nella received the slap.
Mother received hunger.
I received betrayal.
Different harms.
Different doors.
Nella agreed to one meeting a year later.
Neutral café.
I did not attend.
She told me afterward only what she wanted.
Davina said:
“I thought if Elspeth seemed unreliable, the memory would become harmless.”
Nella answered:
“You made her hungry so other people would trust you more.”
Simple.
Davina cried.
Nella did not comfort her.
Good.
Then Davina asked:
“Do you hate me?”
Nella said:
“No.”
Apparently this disappointed everyone.
Hatred simplifies.
Accountability does not.
Nella told her:
“I just don’t trust you.”
That was more useful.
The meeting ended.
No friendship.
No restoration.
Months later Davina began volunteering with an elder-meal program.
When Nella told me, I almost laughed at the obviousness.
Then stopped.
Maybe obvious repair is still repair if nobody demands applause.
I never contacted Davina about it.
May you like
Change should not require the injured person to witness it.
That lesson had become important around Ashenford.
