Chapter 16
Vera saw Nina again after eight months.
Nina chose the place.
The museum cafe.
Public enough to feel safe.
Private enough to leave if needed.
I sat two tables away.
Grace did not come.
Also deliberate.
This was not a family performance.
Vera brought nothing.
Good.
Nina stared at her.
Then asked:
“Why rope?”
Straight to the center.
Vera swallowed.
“Because I was angry at your grandma and your dad.”
Nina frowned.
“Not me?”
“No.”
“Then why chair?”
Vera closed her eyes.
Same question Nina had asked me.
No good adult answer exists.
“I used you to hurt them.”
That was the cleanest version.
Nina thought.
“That bad.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“You say sorry?”
Vera’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
Nina looked at me.
I gave her nothing.
Her choice.
She looked back at Vera.
“Okay.”
Not I forgive you.
Not come hug me.
Okay.
Then she drank her chocolate milk.
Children sometimes refuse the emotional choreography adults expect.
Good.
After fifteen minutes Nina wanted to leave.
We left.
Vera stayed seated.
No complaint.
May you like
No request for more time.
That was the first interaction I trusted even slightly.
