Chapter 9 - LINDA’S VERSION OF LOVE
Linda visited again three days later.
Only because Emma allowed it.
Richard stayed away.
Linda entered carrying flowers.
No apology.
Just flowers.
She sat.
“You look better.”
Emma waited.
Linda began crying almost immediately.
“I panicked.”
“You grabbed me.”
“I thought everything was falling apart.”
“It was.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You told me to lie.”
“I was trying to protect both my children.”
Emma actually smiled.
“How was I protected?”
Linda went silent.
“You wanted me to tell police I was driving.”
“I thought the insurance would cover everything.”
“You thought Tyler would stay out of jail.”
“He’s your brother.”
“I know.”
“He could lose his career.”
Emma stared.
“I could have died.”
Linda started crying harder.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“No. That’s the problem.”
The entire Carter family had spent decades measuring Tyler’s future against everyone else’s present.
His college.
His job.
His reputation.
His second chance.
His third chance.
His next chance.
Emma finally asked:
“How many pieces of my life do I have to give Tyler before you consider us equally loved?”
Linda stood.
“That’s cruel.”
Emma shook her head.
May you like
“No. It’s measurable.”
Linda left without answering.
