Chapter 13 - Dulcie Quits
Dulcie told Ramona she did not want to model anymore.
Ramona cried.
That scared Dulcie.
Not because Ramona screamed.
Because tears had become pressure.
Evan described the conversation later in co-parenting therapy.
Dulcie:
“I don’t want pictures.”
Ramona:
“Is this because of Aunt Ainsley?”
Dulcie:
“No.”
“Because Nell?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“I don’t like it.”
Ramona cried.
Dulcie immediately changed:
“Maybe later.”
There.
A child managing parent disappointment.
The therapist stopped.
“Dulcie, you do not need to reverse your answer because Mom is sad.”
Ramona covered her face.
Then:
“I’m not trying to manipulate her.”
The therapist said:
“You may not be trying. Watch what happens anyway.”
Good.
Ramona steadied.
“Dulcie, you can stop.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“What about pictures?”
“We can keep family pictures. No jobs unless you ask.”
Dulcie relaxed.
That was important.
Then the custodial account.
$1,100 remained.
Transferred to a protected savings account requiring both parents for withdrawal under their agreement.
Not because Ramona had stolen.
Because transparent.
Dulcie later used some at thirteen for a school art program with both parents’ consent.
Good.
No wealth plot.
Then Dulcie’s guilt over Nell.
Therapy.
She confessed:
“I thought once that I wanted Nell’s hair shorter.”
Not because she wanted scissors.
Because relatives commented.
She felt ugly beside her.
Nell would hear later only if helpful.
No need to dump every private insecurity.
Dr. Warner said:
“Thinking an angry thought does not make you responsible for someone else acting on it.”
That lesson applied to adults too.
Dulcie needed it.
She had told her mother:
“Don’t cut it.”
She had done what a ten-year-old could.
Could she have told an adult at party?
Maybe.
May you like
But child responsibility ended before adult responsibility began.
We made sure she knew.
