Chapter 18 - Denise Takes Responsibility
Denise asked Amara to attend one therapy session together.
“Why?”
“Because there are things I need to say with someone making sure I don’t accidentally ask you to comfort me.”
Amara agreed.
Dr. Pierce moderated.
Denise began:
“I ignored warning signs.”
Amara looked down.
“I minimized things you told me.”
Silence.
“I relied on Calvin financially and emotionally, and that made me want his explanations to be true.”
Amara’s eyes filled.
“I made you prove danger instead of making him prove safety.”
Dr. Pierce remained quiet.
Denise continued.
“That was my failure.”
Amara whispered:
“Are you saying it’s your fault he hurt me?”
“No.”
Good.
“I am responsible for not listening. Calvin is responsible for hurting you.”
Two truths.
No confusion.
Amara asked:
“Why did you marry him?”
“Because he seemed kind.”
“He was sometimes.”
“Yes.”
“Do you regret everything?”
Denise thought.
“No.”
Amara looked surprised.
“I regret what he did. I regret what I ignored.”
Denise wiped her face.
“But if I say every good memory was fake, then I’m letting what he did rewrite my entire life.”
Amara understood.
She had good memories too.
They did not acquit him.
They belonged to her.
After the session, Amara hugged Denise.
No one asked her to.
No one deserved it automatically.
May you like
She chose.
That made Denise cry harder than anything else.
