Chapter 21 - CALLUM AND ME
Our marriage survived.
Not automatically.
Callum had defended Milo immediately.
Good.
He also had spent years minimizing Vivian’s contempt toward my business.
Bad.
He had asked me to consider the easement because he trusted his mother’s version.
Not conspiracy.
Still pressure.
In counseling I said:
“You only recognize control when it becomes violent.”
He looked down.
“Yes.”
“Before that, you call it Mom being Mom.”
“Yes.”
“I need that to stop.”
“It has.”
“Not because she went to prison.”
He looked at me.
“Because I finally understand the small version and the large version are the same habit.”
That was the answer.
We stayed.
No vow-renewal spectacle.
No second wedding.
He changed behavior.
When Claire asked him to sign a family property consent, he read all eighteen pages.
Then called the lawyer.
Then asked a question.
I nearly applauded.
He said:
May you like
“Don’t.”
Progress.
