Chapter 17 - MY TRAVEL
I stopped traveling for eight months.
At first necessary.
Then fear.
Maya noticed.
“Kerensa needs reliability, not permanent physical proximity.”
I hated that sentence because it threatened my new identity as Vigilant Father.
So we practiced.
One overnight trip.
Kerensa stayed with my sister Elise.
Direct phone access.
No gatekeeping.
Written schedule.
School knew.
Kerensa called twice.
First:
“Where are you?”
“Hotel.”
“Show.”
I turned camera.
Bed.
Desk.
Terrible carpet.
Second:
“Are you coming tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“What time?”
“After lunch.”
“Okay.”
I returned.
Nothing dramatic.
Then three nights.
Then five.
No hidden production.
No special rules.
At seven, Kerensa rolled her eyes when I gave Elise a four-page caregiver document.
“Daddy.”
“What?”
“She knows.”
Good.
May you like
I had turned negligence into bureaucracy.
Eventually we found middle ground.
