Chapter 24 - After the Trial
Callum did not see Ambrose for another eight months.
No one rushed.
Lysandra saw him monthly.
Always with one of us or in public at first.
Then short visits at her townhouse.
No discipline beyond ordinary safety.
If Callum refused lunch:
Fine.
If rude:
She could say:
“That was rude.”
She could not remove meals, lock doors, or invent treatment.
Normal.
Rafferty’s relationship with his mother changed too.
He stopped calling daily.
Not punishment.
He needed distance.
Then Ambrose wrote Callum a letter.
Through Dr. Bell.
She reviewed.
We reviewed.
Callum chose to hear it read.
Grandpa wrote:
Callum,
I locked you in the kennel because I believed being forced to stay with fear would make fear smaller.
I was wrong.
You told me you wanted out.
I should have opened the door.
Then:
I told you your dad agreed.
He did not.
That was a lie.
Callum gripped Scout.
“Read again.”
Dr. Bell repeated.
He did not.
Your dad did not agree to the cage.
Callum's shoulders lowered.
That correction mattered more than apology.
Then:
I am sorry I made you doubt whether your father would protect you.
Rafferty cried later when I told him.
Callum did not respond.
Three months passed.
Then he wrote:
I was scared.
Don’t lock kids.
Grandpa replied:
I won’t.
May you like
No request for visit.
Good.
