Chapter 13 - Diane Finally Took Her Own Seat
Diane had spent years smoothing conflict.
She called it keeping the family together.
Lena had begun calling it disappearing.
One Sunday, Diane admitted she understood.
“I let your father decide the emotional temperature of the house.”
Lena listened.
“When he was angry, everyone adjusted.”
“Yes.”
“When he ignored your achievements, I praised you privately instead of
challenging him publicly.”
“Yes.”
“I thought I was protecting you.”
“I know.”
Diane looked down.
“I was protecting myself too.”
That honesty mattered.
At the next family dinner, Dad interrupted Lena twice.
The third time Diane said:
“Let her finish.”
Dad stopped.
Such a tiny sentence.
Lena almost laughed at how powerful it felt.
Diane did not.
She simply looked at Lena.
“Go ahead.”
May you like
So Lena finished her story.
Nobody whispered.
