Chapter 22 - WHAT SORREL WANTED
Elise interviewed Sorrel one final time.
No courtroom.
No choosing legal terms.
She asked:
“Do you like seeing Grandma with Dr. Lila?”
“Yes.”
“What do you like?”
“Pancakes not there.”
He was annoyed.
Then:
“Drawing.”
“Do you feel scared?”
“Sometimes.”
“Of what?”
“She says blood.”
Then:
“What happens when she says blood?”
“I think Dad goes away.”
There.
That sentence settled more than any adult argument.
Mother’s blood language was not abstract.
Sorrel connected it to losing me.
Because adults had used:
not blood.
real grandchildren.
father.
He needed stability before unsupervised access.
Then:
“Do you want to see Grandma?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want sleep at her house?”
“No.”
“Maybe later?”
“Maybe when I seven.”
Children choose random ages.
Fine.
Then Garrick.
“Do you want to see Uncle Garrick?”
Sorrel thought.
“At Christmas maybe.”
“Why?”
“He makes good fire.”
Even after campsite.
He remembered another version.
Then:
“Do you want to talk about him being biological father?”
“No.”
Good.
No forcing.
Elise’s recommendation:
Deny fixed overnight visitation.
Permit therapeutic contact continuing.
After six months of demonstrated boundary compliance, Bramwell should consider community visits.
No judicially mandated holiday division at present.
Reassess only if voluntary contact breaks down without child-focused reason.
That last part protected against my retaliation too.
Good.
Then Garrick provided written statement supporting:
Bramwell is Sorrel’s father.
Eudora’s blood-based exclusion was harmful.
He himself contributed.
He does not support forcing Sorrel into expanded family contact before therapy.
That hurt Mother’s case.
She called Garrick a traitor.
He did not respond.
Then I met Garrick once more.
“You’re testifying?”
“Yes.”
“Against Mom?”
“For Sorrel.”
Good answer.
Then:
“Do you want me to tell him someday that you cared?”
Garrick looked wrecked.
“Only if it becomes true in a way he can feel.”
There.
Maybe he was finally becoming useful.
Not father.
May you like
Not hero.
Just accountable.
