Chapter 15 - I TELL ESMOND TOO MUCH
My second mistake was smaller than the school change.
More personal.
Esmond asked:
“Why didn’t Daddy pick Uncle Ulric?”
The court had told me not to discuss litigation.
I should have said:
“That is an adult question.”
Instead I said:
“Your dad worried Uncle Ulric got too angry.”
True.
Still wrong to put on a five-year-old.
Esmond became quiet.
Then:
“Did Daddy know bat?”
“No.”
“Then Daddy knew future?”
“No.”
“Why choose you?”
I stopped.
Too late.
The next therapy session, Esmond told Dr. Lena:
“Daddy knew Uncle Ulric was bad.”
That was not what Tavian wrote.
Ulric’s lawyer heard the phrase through the child advocate’s report and argued I was coaching.
The judge asked me directly.
“Did you discuss Tavian’s concerns about Ulric with Esmond?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He asked.”
“Children ask many questions.”
“I know.”
“Do not make him carry evidentiary conclusions.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
Another correction.
At home I told Esmond:
“I said too much about adult decisions.”
He frowned.
“Was it lie?”
“No.”
“Then why too much?”
“Because you shouldn’t have to decide what kind of person Uncle Ulric is for the court.”
He thought.
“I know he broke table.”
“Yes.”
“That enough?”
“For you to be scared that day, yes.”
May you like
Good.
We left the rest to adults.
