She was devouring surprise, double-fudge brownies from the orderly when her estranged daughter entered the assisted-living bedroom.
Thirty years gone and the lasting effects of her bad rearing were striking: shattered, grief-stricken eyes; bent back; nervous ticks. Her adult daughter was a train wreck.
Apologizing for her crimes, she begged forgiveness and expected torrents of abuse in return—which she deserved.
Instead her daughter said, “I forgive you.”
With a dismissive snort, she sneered, “Never could stand up for yourself.”
A sharp pain tore across her belly.
“The brownies were from me,” said her daughter. “Aren’t you feeling well, Mama?”
Thirty years gone and the lasting effects of her bad rearing were striking: shattered, grief-stricken eyes; bent back; nervous ticks. Her adult daughter was a train wreck.
Apologizing for her crimes, she begged forgiveness and expected torrents of abuse in return—which she deserved.
Instead her daughter said, “I forgive you.”
With a dismissive snort, she sneered, “Never could stand up for yourself.”
A sharp pain tore across her belly.
“The brownies were from me,” said her daughter. “Aren’t you feeling well, Mama?”
