Chapter 13 - Theresa finally told the truth
Three days later, Theresa asked to speak to me without Mitchell.
She had moved temporarily to her sister’s house.
She looked different.
No satin robe.
No tight bun.
No performance.
“I owe you an apology.”
“Yes.”
She seemed surprised I didn’t make it easier.
“I treated you terribly.”
“Yes.”
“I thought I was protecting my son.”
“You were protecting his worst behavior.”
She lowered her eyes.
Then she admitted something.
Mitchell had been manipulating her too.
He told Theresa I planned to sell the townhouse and place her in assisted living.
I had never said that.
He told her I hated having her there.
That part eventually became true, but not initially.
He told her Vanessa would treat her like family.
He promised Theresa permanent residence after our divorce.
That was why she protected the affair.
Not only loyalty.
Self-interest.
Then came the forgery.
Theresa admitted giving her notary friend a signature sample.
“I thought you had agreed and were being difficult about scheduling.”
“You watched me sign a birthday card.”
She started crying.
“I know.”
“You knew enough to hide it from me.”
“Yes.”
That answer mattered.
Finally, no excuse.
Then I asked:
“Why the skillet?”
She covered her face.
“Mitchell told me you had to be downstairs before he came home. He said he needed you cooperative.”
“Why?”
“He wanted to give you papers.”
There it was.
My birthday morning had been preparation.
Wear me down.
Put me back into the familiar role.
Cook.
Obey.
Don’t ask.
Sign.
Except Patricia arrived first.
One neighbor with a manila envelope destroyed months of planning.
Theresa gave a full statement to the appropriate investigators and her own attorney.
Whether that helped her legally was not my concern.
Before leaving, she paused.
“Can you ever forgive me?”
I thought carefully.
“Maybe.”
Hope appeared.
“But forgiveness doesn’t mean you come back into my house.”
Her face fell.
I continued:
“And it doesn’t mean you come back into my life.”
She nodded slowly.
That was the difference I had finally learned.
May you like
Forgiveness is something you may give.
Access is something people must earn.
