Chapter 10 - My parents ask me to fix it
Victoria invited me to their house.
I said no.
She asked for neutral mediation.
I agreed.
No Gigi.
A retired judge named Ellen March facilitated.
Victoria opened:
“I want Clara to understand that we are all losing something.”
I stared.
Ellen said:
“Be specific.”
Victoria:
“My relationship with my daughter.”
Charles:
“Our family.”
Arthur was not present.
Separate counsel advised against direct contact.
Victoria continued:
“Clara has made reconciliation impossible by treating us like accomplices.”
I said:
“You defended him before checking Gigi.”
“I was stopping a fight.”
“You told me I was ruining your party.”
“I was in shock.”
“Dad?”
Charles looked at me.
“I should not have said what I said.”
“Children need boundaries?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see Arthur slap her?”
Long pause.
“Yes.”
There.
It was the first time he said it plainly to me.
“Then why did you say that?”
“I reacted badly.”
“Why?”
He looked toward Victoria.
Then back.
“Because I thought if everyone calmed down, we could deal with Arthur privately.”
Handled.
Again.
Ellen asked my mother:
“What do you want from Clara now?”
Victoria answered:
“An acknowledgment that kicking me was unacceptable.”
“I’ve already pleaded into diversion.”
“To the law.”
“What do you want personally?”
“An apology.”
I thought.
Then:
“I’m sorry I kicked you.”
Victoria froze.
She had expected war.
“I was furious. Gigi was already in my arms. You were not attacking me. I chose to kick you.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Then I continued:
“That apology does not include withdrawing my statement about Arthur.”
Her face hardened.
“I knew there was a condition.”
“There isn’t. Two facts exist.”
May you like
My mother hated that sentence.
Because her entire family system depended on one fact swallowing another.
