Chapter 19 - THE FAMILY BLAMES CLAIRE
Not everyone.
Enough.
One uncle said:
"Vivian was wrong, but Claire could have handled it privately."
I asked:
"How privately should someone handle medicine being smashed?"
He stopped.
An aunt said:
"Young mothers are sensitive."
Claire heard.
I removed that aunt from the visitor list.
Claire put her back.
I stared.
"What?"
"I decide who I want to see."
Right.
The aunt came.
Apologized badly.
Then better.
Noah slept through the entire interaction.
Another cousin said:
"The protective order is extreme."
Claire answered herself.
"I asked a judge. The judge agreed temporarily. You can disagree."
No trembling.
No me behind her.
Good.
Family loyalty began changing shape.
Some relatives supported Vivian emotionally while condemning her conduct.
That was allowed.
My sister visited her.
Claire did not object.
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No one had to exile Vivian from every relationship to protect our household.
Boundaries are not loyalty tests.
