Chapter 26 - THE FIRST VISIT
Seven months later, Ulric completed the required program.
No violations.
Probation current.
Restitution paid.
No contact attempts outside proper channels.
Dr. Lena reviewed.
Esmond had stopped having nightmares about glass.
Still disliked baseball bats.
Still asked about Ulric sometimes.
She recommended one therapeutic meeting.
I hated it.
That did not make it wrong.
Before the session, Esmond asked:
“Do I have to hug?”
“No.”
“Do I have to say sorry?”
“No.”
“Does he?”
“That’s between him and Dr. Lena.”
Then:
“Can I leave?”
“Yes.”
Good.
The session happened in a child therapy center.
No house.
No courtroom.
No family audience.
I waited in the next room.
Forty-one minutes.
Longest forty-one minutes of my life.
When Esmond came out, he held a drawing.
Ulric followed with Dr. Lena.
No one was crying dramatically.
Esmond said:
“Uncle Ulric said table was his fault.”
I looked at Ulric.
He nodded.
Then Esmond:
“He said Daddy didn’t betray him.”
That was not in the required script.
Good.
Then:
“Can we get ice cream?”
Children.
Dr. Lena said:
“Not together today.”
Boundaries.
Esmond accepted.
Ulric looked disappointed.
Also accepted.
The next visit was scheduled three weeks later.
Not because one apology fixed everything.
Because one safe session justified testing another.
Then outside, Ulric stopped several yards from us.
“Rhydian.”
I turned.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Not making forever while you were angry.”
That sentence hurt.
Because I had wanted to.
I said:
“Don’t make me regret it.”
He almost smiled.
May you like
“Tavian said that too.”
Of course he did.
