Chapter 19 - Ryan’s Apology
Ryan waited almost three years before asking to see Emily.
Not Sophie.
Emily.
Laura told him the choice belonged to Emily.
Emily agreed.
They met at Megan’s house.
Ryan looked nervous.
“I owe you an apology.”
Emily crossed her arms.
“For what?”
“I knew your dad was doing things with money.”
“That’s not what I recorded.”
“No.”
Ryan swallowed.
“I also heard him yell at you. And I told myself it wasn’t my family.”
“You are family.”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you help?”
Ryan’s eyes filled.
“Because helping would have cost me something.”
Emily stared.
“That’s a terrible answer.”
“Yes.”
She seemed surprised.
Ryan continued:
“I was scared of losing the company. My brother. My job. I chose what was easier.”
Emily looked down.
“Mom says adults are supposed to protect kids.”
“She’s right.”
“You didn’t.”
“No.”
Silence.
Then Emily asked:
“Are you still friends with Dad?”
Ryan thought.
“I love him.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Ryan almost smiled.
“You sound like your grandmother Judith.”
Emily had barely known Judith.
Laura smiled through tears.
Ryan answered:
“No. We are not close right now.”
“Do you hate him?”
“No.”
Emily nodded.
Apparently satisfied.
Later she told Laura:
“He didn’t make excuses.”
“That mattered?”
“Yes.”
Emily thought.
“But I’m still mad.”
May you like
“You’re allowed.”
Another adult finally let her anger exist without asking her to protect him from it.
