Chapter 13 - EMMA KNEW MORE THAN I WANTED
Emma’s child interview stayed mostly private.
Good.
She did not become a little prosecution witness for family storytelling.
I learned only what I needed.
She had heard Margaret tell Daniel:
“Your wife is ruining you.”
She had heard Daniel say:
“When Mom gets better, things will change.”
Mom.
Me.
She thought I was sick.
Once she saw me limping from the backyard.
“Did you fall?”
“Yes.”
I lied.
Daniel stood behind her.
I remember his face.
Watching.
That lie was mine.
Survival required it then.
Later, Emma told Dr. Grant:
“Mom always fell when Grandma slept over.”
Children see patterns even when adults hide causes.
Lily remembered almost nothing.
She remembered Margaret making cinnamon toast.
That was painful.
The woman who held rope around my wrists also cut toast into stars.
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Love and harm can occupy one person.
Children should not have to solve that contradiction.
