Chapter 9 - Vanessa Tells Emma the Truth
Vanessa asked to apologize to Emma.
I said no at first.
Then Emma’s therapist advised that a carefully supervised conversation
might help because Emma was frightened she had caused the canceled
wedding.
We met in the therapist’s office.
Vanessa sat across from my daughter.
No ivory dress.
No perfect makeup.
“I was scared,” she said.
Emma held my hand.
“Of my backpack?”
“Of what was inside.”
“Why?”
“Because I made mistakes before I knew you, and I was afraid your daddy
would stop loving me if he learned about them.”
Emma frowned.
“So you told me to leave?”
Vanessa cried.
“Yes.”
“That was mean.”
“Yes.”
“You’re a grown-up.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I am.”
Emma considered this with brutal five-year-old logic.
“You should know better.”
Vanessa laughed through tears.
“You’re right.”
May you like
Emma did not hug her.
I did not ask her to.
