Chapter 19 - GRACIE ASKED WHO WAS TO BLAME
At fourteen, Gracie asked the question adults had spent years answering badly.
“Whose fault was it?”
Sawyer looked at her.
“The fall?”
“Everything.”
He thought.
“Mom was responsible for pushing you.”
Gracie nodded.
“I was responsible for being too absent and for ignoring signs.”
She looked surprised.
“You didn’t push me.”
“No.”
“Then that isn’t the same.”
“Correct.”
He smiled.
“That’s important.”
“What about Mrs. Kennedy?”
“She made some mistakes because she was scared. She also helped.”
“Police?”
“They didn’t understand enough.”
“Me?”
Sawyer’s face hardened gently.
“None.”
“Even when I lied?”
“You were eight and afraid.”
Gracie nodded.
Then:
“Mom says she was afraid too.”
“Yes.”
“So why is she responsible and I’m not?”
Sawyer took a breath.
“Because adults are responsible for what they do with fear when they have power over children.”
Gracie sat quietly.
Then smiled.
“That’s actually a good answer.”
May you like
“Thank you.”
He would take the rare teenage compliment.
