page10 (2/2)

I nod

“I hear you, Mr Nelson I’ve learned that bullies often have their own proble their pain out on others”

He nods uncomfortably

“You’re right You see, my wife and I split up when Sa love She was a happy-go-lucky woot into a lot of scrapes The fact that she had a daughter was not on her priority list, and when it came to other people in her life, she was eo-round of her own experiences”

Michael drops his face to his hands momentarily I’m surprised to see how moved he is by all of this He comes off soto see he has a sensitive side when it comes to the women in his life Meanwhile, he continues

“Having a mother that couldn’t show affection stunted Sa to watch play out over the years, and I didn’t even realize it was happening at first I should have intervened sooner, but once I realized, it was probably already too late Eventually, I couldn’t deal with the baggage any, and I just couldn’t put up with the h It wasn’t fair to Sam or to me I filed for divorce”

I nod, my heart in my throat However, I don’t knohat to say and keep silent as Michael continues

“I never thought when Eva left the house, that she would leave our fa to cut ties to le attempt to contact Sam in over two years now, if you can believe it And of course, these past two years have been crucial to Sauide her because she began dating boys, wearing irlfriends These are things I have no experience with She needed a mother But with her silence, Eva hter, and it’s affected Saatively When her reat blue sky to ensure no one else would ever touch her heart again”

He pauses

“Do you understand, Tilly? I’ off as sappy and ehter is co fro up ever since”

I nod slowly

“I sort of get it I just wish Samantha were better able to moderate her emotions”

Michael shakes his head ruefully, looking down at his hands