Chapter 15
Linda appealed.
She lost.
She filed for grandparent visitation from prison.
Denied.
She sent letters to Michael.
He returned them unopened.
She sent letters to Noah.
They were intercepted.
She sent one to Emily.
That one made me shake.
Dana opened it first.
Inside, Linda had written:
One day you will understand I was trying to protect your brother from your mother’s weakness.
Emily asked to read it.
I hesitated.
She was ten by then.
Strong, but still my baby.
Her therapist said, “Let Emily choose, with support.”
So we sat together.
She read the letter once.
Then she folded it.
“She still thinks I’m dumb.”
“No.”
“She thinks I’m useful if I agree with her.”
I blinked.
My daughter saw clearer at ten than many adults ever would.
“What do you want to do with it?”
Emily stood.
“Recycle it.”
So we did.
No ceremony.
No fire.
Just paper into a blue bin.
Linda wanted drama.
Emily gave her disposal.
That night, Emily slept peacefully.
I checked on her and found Noah curled in his toddler bed across the room because he had climbed out and dragged his blanket in.
Emily opened one eye.
“He snores.”
“Want me to move him?”
May you like
She put one hand on his back.
“No.”
