Chapter 19 - ELI REALIZES HE USED THE SLAPConfession happened during joint session.
Dr. Cole asked:
“What did you think when Graham came through door?”
Eli stared.
“Dad.”
“What feeling?”
“Relief.”
“Why?”
“Because Naomi hit.”
“What did you want Dad do?”
“Stop.”
“She had stopped.”
Silence.
“What else?”
Eli's face tightened.
“Choose me.”
Graham felt chest.
Dr. Cole:
“Did you know cigarette still behind?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Naomi had seen?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Graham had not?”
“Yes.”
Naomi looked down.
“Then you said?”
Eli whispered:
“She’s bullying me.”
“Was that full truth?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He began crying.
“Because I knew he'd choose me.”
Graham’s eyes filled instantly.
Eli looked at father.
“You always do.”
Graham couldn't breathe.
Eli continued:
“If Naomi says one thing and I say another, you believe me.”
“If I say she’s mean, you tell her calm.”
“If I say I forgot homework, you make excuse.”
“If I say I don’t want rule, you say she’s too strict.”
Naomi’s eyes filled.
Graham whispered:
“So you knew.”
“Yes.”
“I thought… I thought I was making you safe.”
“You made me win.”
Silence.
That line cut.
Dr. Cole let.
Eli:
“When Mom texted about recording, I thought if Naomi looked bad maybe I could stay with Mom more.”
“I didn't plan slap.”
“But when Dad walked in…”
“I used.”
Naomi felt strange compassion.
Fourteen.
Not mastermind.
He saw opportunity.
He took.
Graham covered face.
“I’m sorry.”
Eli:
“Stop saying sorry.”
Graham laughed through tears.
“Fair.”
Then Eli turned Naomi.
“I’m sorry.”
She looked.
“For what?”
“For saying bullying.”
“You did hit me.”
“But not like I said.”
“And cigarette.”
Naomi nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Do you forgive?”
She smiled.
“Yeah.”
He blinked.
“Already?”
“I’m adult.”
He laughed.
Then:
“I forgive slap. I think.”
Naomi’s eyes filled.
“You don't have to today.”
“I know.”
Graham watched.
No side.
Family truth.
Later in parking lot, Graham told Naomi:
“I trained him to use me.”
She:
“You trained pattern.”
“He made choice.”
“Don't take all blame.”
Important.
Parents can over-own too.
Graham:
“I need change.”
“Yes.”
He did.
Next time Eli asked:
“Can I skip curfew just tonight?”
Graham:
“No.”
“But Naomi said—”
“I'm telling you.”
Direct.
Eli:
“You suck.”
Graham smiled.
“Love you too.”
Door slam.
Graham didn't chase with exemption.
Ten minutes later Eli came.
May you like
Relationship remained.
That was lesson.
Related Stories
