Chapter 23 - Marcella’s apology
Two years after sentencing, Marcella asked through counsel to send Elowen a letter.
I said no.
Six months later:
Again.
Elowen was seven.
Naomi said:
“Give her the choice of receiving it, not the responsibility of forgiving.”
I explained.
“Marcella wrote something.”
Elowen looked up from drawing.
“Why?”
“She wants to apologize.”
“Do I have to read?”
“No.”
“Can you first?”
“Yes.”
I did.
The letter said:
Elowen,
I locked you in the wine cellar.
There.
I did it more than once.
There.
At first I wanted to keep you away because you saw me take something from the foundation that did not belong to me.
There.
Then:
I kept doing it because I was angry when you came into places I wanted adults only, and I started treating your fear as if it were your fault.
There.
Then:
I told you no one would know where you were. That was cruel.
There.
Finally:
You did not cause the investigation, my job loss, my criminal case, or the changes in the DeLuca family.
Good.
Your father did not end my career by protecting you. My choices did.
Good.
Elowen read the letter slowly.
Then asked:
“Do I have to answer?”
“No.”
“Can I cut this?”
“For what?”
“Craft.”
I almost laughed.
“It’s yours.”
She cut a strip from the blank bottom margin and used it on a cardboard castle.
May you like
The apology became construction material.
Children are efficient.
