6 Comments
User's avatar
Louise Williams's avatar

I’m so sorry that you have had to carry this rage for so long. This letter was long overdue. Hopefully the process of writing it was cathartic. Time to open lots of windows and let the fresh air in.

Expand full comment
Chris Andrews's avatar

Cathartic is right. I can't believe I waited this long. It feels so good.

xo

Expand full comment
Laura's avatar

You laid this out beautifully. Good riddance to the SOB and his POS wife. Your children are lucky to have you as their mom. I'm lucky to call you friend ❤️

Expand full comment
Chris Andrews's avatar

Likewise Laura. Looking forward to our next get-together.

Expand full comment
Armand Beede's avatar

Chris Andrews: Whew, all one needs to know about the horrors and tragedy are in the paragraph beginning, "One day, when I was in first grade and we were living on Central St., and while you were at work . . ."

Chris: With the innocence and beauty of children, I cannot even imagine.

That paragraph alone is enough to bring profound sorrow, coupled with anger at the monster.

A little child is so innocent.

S/he acts up.

That is exactly what Mother Nature made little kids for. Acting up is part of healthy growth and usually is a source of humor in the loving mom and dad.

If a child is brought up in tenderness and love, that child will develop into a beautiful person.

I cannot tell you how much this whole piece has shaken me.

Expand full comment
Chris Andrews's avatar

Armand - thank you for reading this. I hope that the piece has shaken my rigid, uncaring father, but it is unlikely. I could not fathom, ever, how either my father or stepmother could act as they did. I suppose that is good.

Expand full comment