Chapter 17
I saw Ryan once after his release.
It was at a restitution hearing.
He looked older.
Thinner.
Not harmless.
Just smaller.
He kept his distance.
The no-contact order required it.
After the hearing, through attorneys, he sent one statement.
I understand now that silence was participation.
I read it twice.
Then gave it back to Nora.
“Do you want to respond?”
“No.”
And I did not.
Some truths can arrive without needing a conversation.
Diane remained in prison longer.
When she was released, she violated the order within a month by sending Laura a letter.
Laura did not open it.
Nora filed.
Diane went back before a judge.
The judge extended restrictions.
Diane shouted that we had turned her son against her.
Laura leaned toward me in court and whispered, “Still allergic to accountability.”
I nearly laughed out loud.
Afterward, Laura and I went for tacos.
That was the strange thing about survival.
One hour, you sit near the woman who ruined your life.
The next, you argue about salsa.
May you like
Both are real.
Both are allowed.
