Chapter 8 - DAD FINALLY PICKED A SIDEThe next morning, Dad called me alone.
“I changed the locks on the file cabinet.”
I didn’t understand at first.
Then he explained.
Bella had a key to the cabinet where Mom stored financial statements, insurance documents, and old tax returns.
Dad revoked her access.
He also called their accountant.
Then the bank.
Then a lawyer.
For the first time in years, he stopped asking Mom whether Bella would be upset.
“I should have done this sooner,” he said.
“Yes.”
He went quiet.
I could have softened it.
I didn’t.
“That Thanksgiving dinner,” he continued. “I knew Bella was being cruel.”
“I know.”
“I thought changing the subject was keeping peace.”
“That’s what I thought too.”
We both sat with that.
Then he said something I didn’t expect.
“I’m sorry Grace had to learn what cowardice looks like from me.”
That was the first apology from either parent that contained no excuse.
I cried after the call.
May you like
Not because everything was fixed.
Because one person had finally stopped trying to make me doubt what happened.
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