Visiting my aunt
We visited my aunt, who had always been candid about family matters. Over steaming cups of coffee, we broached the subject of my father’s favoritism.
‘Why did Dad always choose Jessica over me?’ I asked, my voice tinged with years of pent-up hurt. My aunt sighed, setting her cup down.
‘There’s a lot you don’t know,’ she began, eyes meeting mine. ‘Your father has always felt guilty about what happened with Jessica’s mother.
That guilt shaped everything he did.’