Chapter 7 - MOM FINALLY SPEAKS
Mom came over alone.
That had become a theme.
People were finally arriving without bringing whichever relative usually spoke for them.
She sat at my kitchen table.
“I owe you an apology.”
“For?”
“Several things.”
Good start.
“Birthday first.”
I waited.
“I saw Emily take the envelope.”
“I know.”
“I knew it was wrong.”
“I know.”
“I looked away because I thought if I challenged her, she'd make a scene.”
There it was.
“And Lily wouldn't?”
Mom's eyes filled.
“I knew Lily wouldn't.”
Exactly.
The safest person to disappoint.
Mom covered her face.
“I hate hearing it out loud.”
“You should.”
She nodded.
Then:
“I told Emily Grandma gives the kids too much money.”
My chest tightened.
“Why?”
“I thought eight hundred dollars for a ten-year-old was excessive.”
“You could have told Grandma.”
“I know.”
“Or me.”
“I know.”
“Instead Emily heard permission.”
“Yes.”
Mom cried.
I did not comfort her immediately.
Not punishment.
I was learning not to rescue every emotion in the room.
Then she said:
“Your father has always believed Emily needs more because you turned out stronger.”
I laughed sadly.
“Maybe I turned out stronger because nobody came running.”
Mom looked devastated.
That wasn't entirely fair.
They had loved me.
Supported me in ways.
But family roles are built from repeated patterns, not absolute neglect.
Mom whispered:
“I think we rewarded crisis.”
“Yes.”
“And punished stability.”
“Yes.”
Then she asked:
“What do I do now?”
I thought.
“Stop fixing Emily's feelings before she has to feel them.”
Mom nodded.
Hard advice.
May you like
For both of us.
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