Chapter 9 - LORRAINE ASKED TO MEET ME WITHOUT HER SONS
Two years passed.
I almost said no.
Then curiosity won.
Public café.
Daytime.
My friend knew where I was.
Lorraine arrived wearing a dark green coat.
She looked smaller.
Not frail.
Just no longer amplified by my kitchen.
We sat.
She said:
“I owe you an apology.”
I waited.
“I was wrong to lock the refrigerator.”
“Yes.”
“I was wrong to move your food.”
“Yes.”
“To give Trevor your financial documents.”
“Yes.”
She winced.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“A little.”
Fair.
Then she said:
“I thought you were turning Daniel against us.”
I stared.
“He financed you.”
“Yes.”
“That was the problem.”
She looked down.
“When Daniel married you, he stopped saying yes as quickly.”
There.
“When Trevor needed money, Daniel would say he had to ask you.”
“As he should.”
“I hated that.”
“Why?”
“Because I raised those boys alone.”
Her eyes filled.
“I went without.”
“I worked nights.”
“I borrowed.”
“And then Daniel made it.”
“I thought that meant we had all made it.”
Human.
Dangerous.
Then:
“When you said no, I heard you telling me I had no claim on the son I sacrificed for.”
I softened without surrendering.
“You had a claim to a relationship.”
“Not my paycheck.”
“Not my credit.”
“Not my house.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
Then:
“Trevor was always the one who struggled.”
“I kept thinking if Daniel could just give him one real chance…”
I answered:
“Trevor had hundreds of chances.”
“I know that now.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
She looked exhausted.
“Because Daniel stopped rescuing him.”
Exactly.
Without Daniel absorbing consequences, Trevor had finally been forced to face his own.
After release, he worked for a legitimate construction company.
Entry-level.
No LLC.
No investor title.
Actual job.
Apparently good at finish carpentry.
Interesting.
Lorraine continued:
“I thought you were selfish because you protected what was yours.”
She looked directly at me.
“I wish I had protected more of what was mine when I was younger.”
There it was.
Projection.
Old regret turned into control.
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
I believed she meant it.
That did not make us family again.
I said:
“Thank you.”
Then paid for my coffee.
Only mine.
May you like
Petty symbolism.
Healthy.
