“Maybe you were insecure,” I continued. “But you kept doing it because people laughed.”
She looked away.
“Every laugh gave you attention, approval, and a place at the center.”
Betty’s shoulders dropped. “I never meant to ruin your life.”
“You didn’t ruin it.”
She looked up.
“I never meant to ruin your life.”
“But you made parts of it miserable.”
“Do you hate me?”
“I did.”
She flinched.
“Then I got tired of giving you that much space.”
Betty reached for a tissue.
“Do you hate me?”
“When Layla asked whether I’d ever treated someone that way, I lied.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I said no.”
“Then your first apology isn’t to me. I’m truly sorry she’s going through that. She’s only nine.”
I pushed open the restroom door.
“Leah, wait.”
“What did you tell her?”
I stopped but didn’t turn.
“Would you speak to her?”
“Tell her the truth first.”
