Chapter 14 - DIANE’S LAST REQUEST
Diane asked to see me once before the divorce hearing.
My attorney said no meeting was necessary.
I agreed anyway.
Neutral office.
Separate transportation.
No Eric.
She looked older.
Not humbled exactly.
But emptied.
“I was wrong to flush your medication.”
I waited.
She expected something.
Probably relief.
Maybe forgiveness.
I gave her neither.
“And?”
Her mouth tightened.
“I was wrong to tell people you were addicted.”
“And?”
She looked down.
“I knew Eric had a problem.”
There it was.
No passive language.
A problem.
“How long?”
“After his back injury.”
“You knew he took my medication?”
“Not at first.”
“Then?”
She rubbed her fingers together.
“He told me after you started asking about the count.”
I felt a flare of anger even though I knew this already.
“You understood that I had just had cancer surgery.”
“Yes.”
“You understood those pills were prescribed for my pain.”
“Yes.”
“And you still helped him take them away.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I thought if I could get everything out of the house, he would stop.”
“You didn't take his access away.”
She looked up.
“You took mine.”
She started crying.
“I was scared he would lose everything.”
I leaned forward.
“So you decided I should lose things instead.”
She had no answer.
Then she asked:
“Will you tell Eric you forgive him if he finishes treatment?”
“No.”
Her eyes widened.
“Claire, he needs hope.”
“He needs treatment that doesn't depend on getting me back.”
Diane's face hardened slightly.
There was the old woman beneath the apology.
“You've become very cold.”
I almost smiled.
“No.”
I stood.
“I've become expensive to manipulate.”
She looked away.
At the door, I paused.
There was one final boundary to give her.
“Do not contact my doctors. Do not contact my employer. Do not contact Noah. Do not use church members to pass messages.”
She nodded.
“And if Eric needs support?”
“He has doctors.”
“He has counselors.”
I opened the door.
“And he has you.”
May you like
For the first time, I understood something clearly.
I did not have to remain available simply because the person who harmed me was finally becoming honest about why.
