Chapter 23 - Claire’s letter to Eliza
Claire asked to send an apology after completing custody time.
I said no.
Eliza’s therapist said no.
A year later she asked again.
Eliza was seven.
I told her:
“Claire wrote a letter. You do not have to read it.”
“Ethan’s mom?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To apologize.”
Eliza thought.
“Read first.”
I did.
Eliza,
I knew about you before Ryan did.
There.
I met you when you were four.
There.
I should have told him.
There.
Then:
When your mother died, I promised Aunt Megan I would finally tell Ryan. I kept delaying.
There.
On the day you came to our house, Aunt Megan believed Ryan already knew. That was because I lied.
There.
Then:
When Ryan came home early, I put you in the maintenance space because I wanted time to prepare him.
I locked the panel when you tried to come out.
There.
You were scared.
I knew.
There.
Finally:
None of that happened because there was anything wrong with you.
You did not threaten Ethan by existing.
You did not destroy my marriage.
My choices did.
Good.
Eliza read.
Slowly.
Then:
“Do I answer?”
“No.”
“Can Ethan know?”
“Your choice.”
She handed it to Ethan that evening.
He read some.
Then said:
“Mom did dumb.”
Eliza:
“Yes.”
Sibling consensus.
Claire’s letter went into a drawer.
May you like
Later it disappeared.
I never asked where.
