Chapter 10 - THE LETTER TO CLAIRE
The longest letter was addressed directly to Claire.
Rebecca wrote it when Claire was six.
How did she know Claire existed?
A cousin sent photographs.
Rebecca wrote:
Your mother looks happy holding you.
I hope she is.
I hope she never becomes Dad.
Claire felt sick reading that sentence.
Then:
If she ever tells you I was crazy, remember that crazy people can still be right about some things.
Another:
Your mother was brave once. She told a nurse what Dad did. Then she learned bravery was expensive.
Claire read that line aloud.
Diane covered her face.
“You remember the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“What happened after?”
“Dad didn’t speak to me for three days.”
“Did he hit you?”
“No.”
“What did he do?”
“He told me Mom might leave because I embarrassed her.”
Claire closed her eyes.
There it was.
Punishment through responsibility.
Not bruises.
Burden.
A child taught that truth could destroy the family.
Claire suddenly understood why Diane became obsessed with keeping family matters private.
May you like
It did not excuse what she became.
But the shape made sense.
