Chapter 15 - COLE’S FIRST SUPERVISED VISIT
Poppy asked for him.
That surprised relatives.
It should not have.
Cole was her father.
He had also been:
The man who read dinosaur books.
Made waffles.
Carried her asleep from the car.
Taught her to float in the pool.
One dangerous act does not erase a child’s attachment on schedule.
The supervised visit lasted ninety minutes.
Cole arrived early.
No suit.
Blue shirt.
He looked nervous.
He washed his hands.
Poppy hugged him.
Then pulled back.
“Don’t touch my breathing.”
The supervisor documented the sentence.
Cole cried.
Not dramatically.
He crouched.
“I won’t.”
Poppy asked:
“Why you did?”
The supervisor redirected.
“Daddy can answer simply.”
Cole said:
“I was angry about a grown-up problem and I did something very wrong.”
Good.
Then:
“It wasn’t because you were bad.”
Better.
No:
Grandpa made me.
No:
Mom misunderstood.
Poppy accepted the answer long enough to show him a stuffed giraffe.
May you like
Children move.
Adults should follow.
