Chapter 11 - WHY MARGARET HATED BUDDY
Emily finally asked:
“Why Buddy?”
Margaret did not answer at first.
Then:
“He was filthy.”
“He was a puppy.”
“He tore a tablecloth.”
“So?”
“He urinated near the donor terrace.”
Emily stared.
“That’s why?”
Margaret’s face tightened.
“You brought him after I told you not to.”
There.
Boundary violation.
Emily had brought Buddy despite Margaret saying pets were not allowed at the event.
Emily admitted that.
She thought the rule was absurd for an animal charity.
Still:
Margaret had said no.
Emily ignored it.
Margaret used that to justify everything afterward.
“You disrespect me, then act shocked when I enforce a rule.”
Emily answered:
“You could have put him in a room.”
“I wanted him gone.”
“You wanted me punished.”
Silence.
Yes.
Buddy was leverage.
Not financial.
Emotional.
May you like
Margaret knew Emily loved him.
Hurting what Emily loved was how she restored control.
