Chapter 22 - What Laura Missed
Laura eventually apologized to Emily without defending herself.
They were driving home from a school event.
No therapist.
No courtroom.
No crisis.
Laura said:
“I need to tell you something.”
Emily groaned jokingly.
“That sounds terrifying.”
Laura smiled.
“I should have seen more.”
Emily looked out the window.
Laura continued.
“I know I didn’t cause what Dad did.”
Emily turned back.
“I also know saying that cannot become a way to avoid what I missed.”
Silence.
“I taught you to check his mood before asking for things.”
Emily’s expression changed.
“I told you to keep Sophie quiet when he was stressed.”
“Mom—”
“I called yelling normal stress.”
Laura’s voice shook.
“I’m sorry.”
Emily stared ahead.
For a long time she said nothing.
Then:
“I was mad at you.”
“I know.”
“No, like really mad.”
“You had a right.”
“I thought if I told you, you’d say Dad had a hard day.”
Laura began crying.
“I’m sorry.”
Emily cried too.
“But then you ran in front of Sophie.”
Laura looked at her.
“That day.”
“You didn’t hesitate.”
Emily wiped her face.
“I remember that.”
Laura pulled into a parking lot because she could no longer safely drive.
Emily leaned over and hugged her.
“I don’t think you were a bad mom.”
Laura closed her eyes.
“I don’t need you to make me feel better.”
“I know.”
They laughed through tears.
Emily added:
“You were kind of annoying.”
“Fair.”
“And scared.”
“Yes.”
“And you got better.”
Laura held her daughter.
May you like
That mattered more than forgiveness stated like a verdict.
They had told the truth about both versions of her.
