Chapter 17 - BETH AND HER BOYS
Beth moved into a townhouse.
Kept her job after brokerage-board discipline but lost eligibility for certain fiduciary-associated listings for a period.
She and Mark adjusted custody.
The boys spent less time with her initially.
Not permanent punishment.
Family therapy.
She asked to apologize to Emily.
We waited until Emily’s therapist recommended letting Emily decide.
At eight, Emily said:
“Okay, but no Grandma.”
Neutral office.
Beth sat across from her.
“I laughed too sometimes,” Emily said.
Beth’s face crumpled.
“I know.”
“Why?”
“I wanted Grandma to think I was on her side.”
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid she’d turn on me.”
Emily frowned.
“So you let her turn on me?”
Silence.
“Yes.”
Children deserve truthful answers.
Beth apologized.
No excuses.
Emily asked:
“Did you want my house?”
Beth corrected:
“The trust’s house.”
My influence.
Then:
“I wanted money from a sale, yes.”
“More than me?”
Beth cried.
“I acted like it.”
That was the right answer.
Emily did not hug her.
At the end:
“Can cousins come play?”
Not Beth.
The boys.
Relationship separated.
They rebuilt slowly.
Soccer.
Video games.
No chore hierarchy.
The older cousin once brought a laundry basket as a joke at age sixteen.
Emily stared.
He realized instantly.
“Sorry.”
He put it away.
May you like
No forced laughter.
Families can learn symbols.
