Chapter 11 - Mason Faces Monday Without Asking For Forgiveness
Monday agreed to meet Mason six weeks after the nursery incident.
Her attorney attended.
So did Rebecca.
Mason had rehearsed apologies for days.
When Monday entered, he threw all of them away.
“I hurt you.”
She sat across from him.
“Yes.”
“I believed Jiso without asking you one question.”
“Yes.”
“I was scared for Lisa.”
Monday’s expression hardened slightly.
Mason stopped.
There it was.
The explanation waiting to become an excuse.
He corrected himself.
“I was scared for Lisa, and I still chose to kick you.”
Monday looked at him for a long time.
Then she nodded once.
“That’s better.”
Mason swallowed.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“Can you forgive me?”
Rebecca looked sharply at him.
Mason immediately shook his head.
“No. Sorry. That wasn’t fair.”
Monday almost smiled.
Almost.
Mason continued.
“I’m not asking you to come back. I’m not asking you to protect me from consequences. Your medical expenses are covered regardless. If you pursue anything else, my attorney will deal with it properly.”
Monday’s eyes filled.
Not because she was moved by him.
Because she finally did not have to manage his feelings.
“I loved that baby,” she said.
“You still do.”
Monday looked away.
“I watched her mother die and watched everybody in that house start treating Jiso like she was Claire because no one could stand the empty space.”
Mason closed his eyes.
That was true.
Jiso chose Claire’s favorite flowers.
Wore Claire’s perfume once.
Took over Claire’s household systems.
Mason had called it help.
Monday had seen something else.
“She was replacing her,” Monday said.
“And when you questioned her?”
“She told me I was paid to change diapers, not understand family matters.”
Mason stared at the table.
Monday continued.
“I stayed because Claire asked me to look after Lisa.”
“You did.”
“And you kicked me for it.”
“Yes.”
There was no repair available in that room.
Only truth.
Before leaving, Monday placed one photograph on the table.
Lisa, laughing in her crib two weeks before the attack.
“Give that to her when she’s older.”
Mason looked up.
“You’re leaving?”
“I’m not coming back to work for you.”
The sentence hurt.
It was also reasonable.
Then Monday added:
“That doesn’t mean I never want to see Lisa again.”
Mason nodded.
May you like
He would take that small opening.
No more.
