I read that letter three times.Plan Family Trips
Then I cried.
For the first time since the airport, I let myself cry.
I cried because those children were innocent in all of this. They hadn’t asked for their parents to be cruel and thoughtless. They
hadn’t asked to lose their grandmother.
They were collateral damage in a conflict that had nothing to do with them.Long Distance Bus & Rail
I sat with that letter for two weeks, reading it every night before bed, thinking about what I wanted to do. Thinking about what was right.
Finally, I called Patricia.
“I want to see my grandchildren,” I said.
“Margaret, are you sure?” she asked.
“I’m sure,” I said. “But on my terms. Kevin and Jessica need to accept certain conditions.”
“What conditions?” she asked.Air Travel
“First,” I said, “the will stays as it is. Kevin inherits nothing. That’s not negotiable.”
“Understood,” she said.
“Second,” I continued, “no financial support. Ever. They’re on their own. I don’t pay for anything. Not school, not mortgage, not emergencies. Nothing.”
“Agreed,” she said.
“Third,” I said, “I see the children at my house only, not at theirs. I control the visits. If Tyler and Emma
want to see me, Kevin brings them here and picks them up. No hanging around. No conversations beyond basic logistics.”
“What about Jessica?” Patricia asked.Book Train Trips
“Jessica is not welcome in my home,” I said. “If she wants to see me, she can apologize in writing first. And even then, I make no promises.”
“That’s fair,” Patricia said.
“Fourth,” I said, “if Kevin or Jessica violates any of these terms—if they try to manipulate me, if they ask for money, if they disrespect me in any way—then all contact ends permanently. One strike, and they’re out.”
“I’ll draft the agreement and make it legally binding,” Patricia said. “I’ll have them sign it.”
“Do it,” I said.Book Flights
Three days later, Patricia called me back.
“I sent the agreement to Kevin,” she said. “He called me twenty minutes later. He said he’ll sign anything. He’s desperate to get you back in the kids’
lives.”
“And Jessica?” I asked.Air Travel
“She’s apparently less enthusiastic,” Patricia said. “But Kevin told her she has no choice.”
“When can we do this?” I asked.
“We can have the signing tomorrow,” she said.
“Do it,” I repeated.
The next afternoon, Kevin came to Patricia’s office alone.
I was already there, sitting across from Patricia’s desk when he walked in.
He stopped in the doorway when he saw me.Desks
