Chapter 16 - Amity goes back to the laundry room
Dr. Hammond did not force Amity into exposure.
Weeks passed.
Amity avoided the laundry room.
Fine.
Staff did laundry elsewhere in her presence.
Then one afternoon, she asked Maria:
“Can I see it?”
Maria called me.
I came downstairs.
Door open.
No lock.
Buckets removed.
Utility cabinet empty except detergent and towels.
Amity stood at threshold.
“Is ice gone?”
“Yes.”
“Forever?”
“No one will use ice water to punish you.”
She stared at washing machine.
Then:
“Can I wash my blue blanket?”
Maria smiled.
“Yes.”
We put it in.
Amity poured detergent.
Too much.
Maria said:
“That’s plenty.”
No one called her stupid.
No punishment.
The machine started.
Amity left after three minutes.
That was enough.
Then she asked:
“Can Wilhelmina take house?”
“No.”
“Can you?”
“No.”
That confused her.
“Then who?”
“Greyhaven is held in a trust for you.”
“What’s trust?”
“Adults whose job is to protect it until you’re old enough.”
“Do they live here?”
“No.”
“Then weird.”
Correct.
Then:
“If I don’t want it later?”
“When you’re older, there are rules and choices.”
She nodded.
No need tell an eight-year-old estate law.
Then:
“Do I have to live here because Mom wanted me to?”
That question stopped me.
“No.”
Greyhaven was hers.
May you like
Not her prison.
That distinction would matter more than the property litigation.
