Natalie sent 47 texts and 12 emails, every one some version of how could you do this to our family?
I answered none of them.
6 months later, a letter arrived through State Department channels.
My parents had written it on expensive stationery, still clinging to appearances somehow.
“Alexis, we’ve completed our probation requirements and satisfied all financial penalties from the diplomatic property situation. Our lawyer has advised us that the case is closed and we should attempt to repair our family relationships.
We want you to know that we’re sorry for not understanding your career. We should have listened when you tried to explain your position. We should have asked questions instead of making assumptions.
We hope you can forgive us and that we can rebuild our relationship. We miss you and we’re proud of your accomplishments, even though we failed to show that pride when it mattered.
With love and regret, Mom and Dad.”
I read it twice.
Then I filed it away without answering.
2 weeks later, Natalie called through the embassy switchboard.
“Alexis, please,” she said when I finally accepted the call. “They’re genuinely sorry. They’ve lost so much. Dad had to resign from two boards. Mom lost all her social positions. They’ve paid every fine. They’ve done everything the court required. Can’t you at least talk to them?”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because they’re your parents.”
“They were my parents when they sold my house without permission,” I said. “They were my parents when they took $560,000 from me. They were my parents when they spent 4 years treating me like I was incompetent. Being parents didn’t stop them from any of that.”
