Chapter 20 - DAHLIA EATS BEFORE THE GUESTS
A small thing became therapy.
Dahlia refused family dinners.
Not because Beatrice was there.
She was not.
Because tables.
Large tables.
Servers moving behind chairs.
Dr. Nora suggested gradual exposure.
No forced “face your fear.”
We began with breakfast at home.
Then dinner with two friends.
Then my restaurant during closed afternoon hours.
No formal tablecloth.
Dahlia sat wherever she wanted.
A waiter brought bread.
She waited.
I asked:
“Why aren’t you eating?”
“Guests first.”
“There are no guests.”
“You.”
“I’m your dad.”
She thought.
Then took bread.
Another week, family cousin Evelyn visited.
Dahlia waited again.
Evelyn started eating first deliberately.
Dahlia laughed.
Then ate.
The goal was not:
Never serve anyone.
At school fundraiser, Dahlia volunteered to hand out napkins.
She told Dr. Nora:
May you like
“I wanted to.”
That difference was everything.
