Chapter 12
Camilla saw Livia again after six months.
Because Livia asked.
Not because Camilla deserved it.
We met in the garden.
No Marco.
Camilla waited several feet away.
Livia looked at her.
“You hit me.”
Camilla started crying immediately.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The question adults had been avoiding.
Camilla looked at me.
I gave her nothing.
Her answer.
“I was scared.”
Livia frowned.
“Of me?”
Camilla’s face broke.
“No.”
“Of vase?”
“No.”
“Of letter?”
“Yes.”
Livia thought.
Then:
“Letters don’t hit.”
I had to look away.
Camilla covered her mouth.
“No.”
Livia continued.
“You hit.”
“Yes.”
That was the cleanest accountability anyone had delivered in six months.
Camilla apologized.
Specific.
No excuses.
Livia listened.
Then asked whether Camilla had candy.
Children refuse narrative dignity.
Camilla laughed through tears.
“No.”
“Okay.”
Meeting mostly over.
Livia did not hug her.
Did not reject her.
She simply returned to playing.
Camilla looked at me afterward.
“Does she forgive me?”
“I don’t know.”
May you like
She nodded.
Finally learning not every answer belonged to adults.
