Chapter 25 - The Sleepover
At ten, Perry asked for one night at Constance’s.
Reid and I discussed.
No legal prohibition.
Years of safe contact.
Constance completed every program.
No confinement.
No pressure.
Perry wanted.
We agreed.
Conditions were ordinary:
Phone.
Pickup anytime.
No punishment involving closed rooms.
Constance almost laughed when I said it.
Then stopped.
“I understand.”
At 9:46 p.m., Perry called.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Grandma snores.”
I closed eyes.
“Do you want to come home?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
Then:
“She says phone off ten.”
I paused.
“That’s a normal house rule if you agreed.”
Perry said:
“Oh.”
Then:
“Okay.”
Important.
Repair did not mean Constance lost all adult authority.
She could have normal rules.
Bedtime.
Screens.
Brush teeth.
What she could not do was threaten belonging.
The next morning Perry returned.
“Good?”
“Pancakes.”
Of course.
Then:
“Did you sleep?”
“Yes.”
“Door?”
“Open.”
May you like
He said it casually.
That casualness was worth years.
