Chapter 8 - DAD FINALLY SAID NO TO MEGAN
The most surprising change came from Dad.
Megan asked our parents for money.
Not all $28,000.
Enough to “stabilize things.”
Dad said no.
I did not hear it directly.
Mom told me.
“She cried.”
“I’m sure.”
“She said we were abandoning her.”
“What did Dad say?”
Mom hesitated.
Then:
“He said helping her hide the consequences would be the same thing we’ve always done.”
I almost dropped the phone.
“Dad said that?”
“Yes.”
“Is he okay?”
“Very funny.”
Then Mom became serious.
“We did create part of this.”
I said nothing.
She continued:
“Every time Megan got stuck, we rearranged things.”
“Yes.”
“Every time you complained, we told you to be flexible.”
“Yes.”
“I thought I was keeping siblings close.”
“You were keeping conflict away from Megan.”
Silence.
Then Mom said:
“I’m sorry.”
Specific apology came later.
For the key.
For volunteering my apartment.
For telling me I was selfish whenever Megan wanted access to something mine.
It did not repair everything.
But it changed the shape of future arguments.
May you like
That mattered.
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