Chapter 22 - THE MEETING
At twenty-one, Estelle requested one meeting.
Neutral office.
Lorna was fifty.
Older.
Less polished.
Still beautiful.
Estelle told me afterward.
First question:
“Why the plates?”
Lorna answered:
“Because I wanted to humiliate you.”
“Why?”
“I thought if you felt small, Lenette would stop defending you and you would stop interrupting my plans.”
“Did you want me hungry?”
“I wanted obedience.”
“Did you love Dad?”
“Yes.”
“Did you love me?”
“No.”
Honest.
Estelle breathed out.
“Thank you.”
Lorna cried.
“For what?”
“For not lying.”
Then:
“Did Dad know?”
“No.”
“Did he ignore signs?”
“Yes.”
Good.
Correct size.
Estelle asked:
“Did you think marrying him made you my mother?”
“I thought it gave me authority.”
“Would you think that now?”
“No.”
Meeting lasted thirty-five minutes.
No hug.
May you like
No forgiveness declaration.
No second meeting.
