I was completely, entirely alone in my own family.
Clare stepped forward with her hand still on Tyler’s shoulder, positioned like a shield. Tyler’s a child, she said. He doesn’t understand the difference between a two hundred dollar guitar and an eight thousand dollar one. Then teach him not to destroy other people’s property, I said. Derek made the mistake, I added. Tyler followed instructions. Barbara moved between us, palms raised. Marcus, you’re being unreasonable, she said. Richard crossed his arms tighter across his chest. It’s replaceable, he said. Family isn’t.
I looked at each of them in turn. My sister. My parents. My brother in law, who had started all of this and now wanted to hide behind a nine year old. My nephew, who was still not being held accountable for anything.
So I should just let this go, I said. Clare’s response came fast and sharp. You’re supposed to forgive him, she said. He’s just a child. Nobody mentioned compensation. Nobody offered to actually replace what had been broken. Nobody suggested any consequence at all for Tyler or for Derek. They only wanted me to let it go, to keep the peace, to be the one who bent so everyone else could stay comfortable.
