Chapter 20 - LEO ASKS WHY
Leo was seven when he asked the question properly.
“Why did Grandma hurt Mom?”
We were eating breakfast.
Cereal.
Toast.
Ordinary.
Elena looked at me.
Then answered.
“Grandma Margaret wanted to make decisions that belonged to other people.”
“What decisions?”
“About me. About you. About Dad’s company.”
“Because she was mean?”
“Sometimes people can love you and still make cruel choices because they want control.”
Leo frowned.
“Did she love me?”
Elena took time.
“I think she did.”
“Then why?”
“Love does not automatically make someone safe.”
That sentence settled into the kitchen.
Leo asked:
“Did she hit you?”
“No.”
“Dad hit her.”
I froze.
He knew.
Court records? No.
A cousin had mentioned it.
I answered.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I was furious.”
“Was that okay?”
“No.”
“Did you get in trouble?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I almost laughed.
Elena did.
Leo looked offended.
“I’m serious.”
“So are we.”
He continued:
“Did Grandma go to prison because Dad hit her?”
“No.”
“Because she hurt Mom?”
“Because courts found she committed specific crimes.”
“What crimes?”
Elena simplified.
“She lied on important papers. She tried to make a judge believe I could not take care of you. She controlled things I needed while I was sick.”
Leo stared at his cereal.
“Did I make the company problem?”
“No.”
Both of us answered at once.
He looked up.
“No.”
I continued.
“The company rules changed when you were born. That was not your choice. Adults were responsible for handling it correctly.”
“Did Grandma?”
“No.”
He nodded.
Then:
“Can I have more cereal?”
“Yes.”
Conversation over.
May you like
Children often return to breakfast before adults are ready.
Good.
