Chapter 4 - GLEN STOPPED BEING THE PEACEMAKER
Ida called.
Repeatedly.
At first, Glen ignored every call.
Then he agreed to one conversation.
Speakerphone.
I sat nearby but did not participate.
Ida began crying immediately.
“I embarrassed myself because I love you too much.”
Glen said:
“No.”
Silence.
She tried again.
“I was afraid you were taking responsibility for a child who isn’t yours.”
“No.”
“Glen, listen to me—”
“No, Mom. You listen.”
I had never heard him speak to her that way.
Not cruel.
Clear.
“You don’t get to explain hurting Lily as loving me.”
Ida’s crying stopped.
Then the anger arrived.
“She isn’t your daughter!”
Glen answered:
“She is my family.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“It is to me.”
Ida hung up.
For years, Glen had feared conflict meant relationships were breaking.
Now he began learning something else.
May you like
Sometimes conflict reveals the relationship was already broken in a way politeness had hidden.
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