Chapter 8 - VERONICA CAME BACK WITHOUT MAKEUP
Two years passed.
Hannah turned ten.
Then eleven.
The cracks in her hands disappeared.
She grew six inches.
She joined the school art club.
Hated horseback riding.
Loved soccer.
Veronica lived ninety miles away.
Small apartment.
Normal job managing events at a hotel.
Apparently she was very good when the events were not funded through inherited debt.
We had no contact for fourteen months.
Then Rachel forwarded a request.
Veronica wanted a supervised meeting with Hannah.
I asked Hannah.
Not decided for her.
She became quiet.
“Do I have to?”
“No.”
“What if I want to see her once?”
“Then we arrange it.”
“What if I change my mind?”
“Then we leave.”
She nodded.
The meeting happened at Dr. Flores’s office.
Veronica arrived wearing jeans.
No designer bag.
No makeup.
Hannah stared at her.
Veronica started crying instantly.
Dr. Flores stopped her.
“This meeting is for Hannah.”
That corrected the room.
Veronica wiped her face.
“I’m sorry.”
Hannah said nothing.
Veronica continued:
“I called you lazy.”
“Yes.”
“I made you work outside.”
“Yes.”
“I made you sleep in the barn.”
“Pigsty.”
Veronica flinched.
“Yes.”
“The pigsty.”
“I took money your dad sent.”
“Yes.”
“And I told you he didn't want you.”
Hannah’s jaw tightened.
“That was the worst.”
Veronica cried.
“I know.”
“No.”
Hannah shook her head.
“You don’t.”
Then:
“I used to think every truck on the road was Dad coming back.”
I stopped breathing.
Veronica covered her mouth.
Hannah continued:
“And you would laugh.”
Silence.
“I’m sorry.”
Hannah looked at Dr. Flores.
Then me.
Then Veronica.
“I forgive you.”
Everyone froze.
Veronica’s face collapsed with relief.
Then Hannah added:
“But I don’t want to stay at your house.”
“I don't have a house like that anymore.”
“I know.”
“And I don't want you babysitting me.”
Veronica nodded.
“Okay.”
“And don't tell people I lived with you because you saved me.”
Veronica’s eyes closed.
“Okay.”
Then Hannah stood.
Meeting over.
In the car, I asked:
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure?”
“No.”
Good answer.
Then:
“Can we get fries?”
“Yes.”
We did.
Forgiveness followed by fries.
May you like
Maybe therapy should prescribe that more often.
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