My mother came in, worried and upset. Amanda had just called her in tears. I poured her a coffee and asked if Amanda had told her what she had said to Alex. She replied that her sister thought she had been misunderstood.
« She told a teenager he’d never be independent, in front of everyone, and she laughed, » I replied. « Alex cried for an hour last night. »
« But her children will suffer, » said my mother. « This school is excellent. »
« They’ll be just fine, » I replied. « Public school is free and perfectly good. Or Amanda and Greg will learn to live within their means. »
Later that day, Alex entered the kitchen.
— Mom, why is Aunt Amanda writing to me?
He showed me his phone. The message read: “Alex, I’m sorry if I hurt you yesterday. You’re a very special boy. Can you ask your mother to call me…”
I took a deep breath. Some lessons are difficult, but necessary. Words have weight. Actions have consequences. And no one has the right to reduce a child—or anyone—to a caricature of their limitations.
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