Chapter 14 - SOPHIE DID NOT FORGIVE CELESTE JUST BECAUSE ADULTS WANTED CLOSURECeleste wrote Sophie a letter eight months later.
She sent it through Michael.
Not directly.
Good.
He asked whether I wanted to read it first.
“Yes.”
The letter was short.
Sophie,
I was cruel to you because I was jealous of the place you and your mother had in your father's heart. That was an adult problem. I made it your problem.
I told you your dad wanted things he never wanted.
I kept letters that belonged to you.
I locked you in a room.
I threw Bunny because I knew it would hurt.
You did not cause any of that.
I am sorry.
You do not have to answer me.
Celeste.
I showed it to Dr. Sloan.
Then, when she thought appropriate, to Sophie.
Sophie read it twice.
“She called him Bunny.”
“Yes.”
“His name is Mr. Rabbit.”
Of course.
The greatest offense.
Then she folded the letter.
“Do I have to forgive her?”
“No.”
“Do you?”
“No.”
“Do you hate her?”
I thought.
“No.”
Sophie frowned.
“Why?”
Because hatred would have been simpler.
“I don't want her in our life right now. That's different.”
Sophie nodded.
Then put the letter in her desk drawer.
Months passed.
No reply.
Good.
Adults are always desperate for children to produce healing moments.
Hugs.
Forgiveness.
Reunions.
Children do not exist to complete adult redemption arcs.
Then one afternoon Sophie asked:
“Is Celeste still sad?”
“I don't know.”
“Do you talk to her?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
She thought.
Then:
“I might want to tell her something someday.”
“What?”
“I don't know yet.”
I did not help.
“Okay.”
That word was enough.
Her timing.
May you like
Her decision.
The exact things Celeste had tried to take from her.
