Chapter 14 - The family meeting that failed
My brother Ethan wanted everyone together.
Bad idea.
We did it anyway.
Neutral mediator.
Diane on video from her attorney’s office because no-contact conditions prevented proximity to Lily, not necessarily me? My protective order? We can say counsel arranged remote.
Beth.
Ethan.
Marjorie.
Me.
Goal:
Family facts.
What happened.
Who knew.
It turned ugly.
Ethan:
“Mom says Daniel exaggerates because he feels guilty.”
Me:
“For what?”
“Depending on her.”
That landed.
Beth:
“Dependency isn’t permission to abuse a child.”
Ethan:
“I didn’t say it was.”
Marjorie cried.
“I should have told someone.”
Diane snapped through screen:
“You told me to stop.”
Marjorie:
“I should have called Daniel.”
“Yes.”
Diane:
“You’re making yourself a victim.”
Marjorie:
“I’m not.”
That was useful.
Then Diane looked at me.
“You wanted free childcare.”
I stared.
“I paid you.”
“Nine hundred dollars.”
“You refused more.”
“Because I’m her grandmother.”
“Then don’t rewrite it as exploitation.”
She went quiet.
I continued:
“I did depend on you. That does not mean you got to invent discipline I would never approve.”
“You approved me as caregiver.”
“Not jailer.”
Ethan flinched at the word.
I did not correct.
Maybe too loaded.
Then Diane said:
“You are only angry because you saw it.”
That sentence ended the meeting.
Because she was right in a way she did not intend.
I was angry because I saw.
May you like
I should have paid closer attention before.
But the fact I failed to detect it did not convert it into acceptable care.
