Independent authorities examined whether money had been used for its intended purposes.
Some assets were frozen while the investigation proceeded.
The evidence concerning the original research project led to additional charges and civil claims.
My mother faced serious legal consequences for her involvement.
I didn't celebrate.
When I saw her in court, I felt grief.
Anger.
And a strange emptiness.
She was still my mother.
I still remembered her teaching me how to make pancakes.
I remembered her singing when I was frightened.
I remembered the warmth of her hands.
But I also remembered the payment records.
The recording.
The admission.
And the twenty years of silence.
I knew I needed distance.
Perhaps one day, I would be ready to speak with her again.
Perhaps not.
That decision belonged to me.
***
Meanwhile, I was learning how to see.
It was much harder than I'd imagined.
People thought restoring sight would be like opening curtains.
