Chapter 9 - JASON FINALLY APOLOGIZED TO EMMA
Almost a year after the birthday party, Jason had supervised time with Emma as part of the evolving custody arrangement.
He had completed parenting work.
Individual therapy.
Family-boundary counseling.
Carol remained outside Emma’s contact.
That was non-negotiable at first.
During one session, with Emma’s therapist present, Jason apologized.
Emma told me afterward.
“He said Grandma shouldn’t have hit me.”
Good.
“He said he should’ve stopped her.”
Better.
“He said I didn’t owe her an apology.”
That was the sentence Emma needed.
Then she told me:
“I said he was mean too.”
I smiled sadly.
“What did he say?”
“He said yes.”
Progress.
Not redemption.
Progress.
Jason eventually stopped defending Carol.
That cost him his relationship with her for a while.
Probably necessary.
For the first time in his life, choosing his daughter meant disappointing his mother.
He should have learned that years earlier.
May you like
At least he learned.
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