Chapter 8 - THE TEXTS I DID NOT SEE
After the hospital, my attorney obtained relevant communications during the civil proceedings.
The texts between Colin and Marcia began before Theo was born.
MARCIA:
How much help is Giorgio sending?
COLIN:
Night nurse 10 nights. Cleaning. Food.
MARCIA:
Ridiculous.
COLIN:
Alessandra wants it.
MARCIA:
Of course. She was raised with staff.
I had not been.
Dad became wealthy when I was a teenager.
My mother still made me clean bathrooms.
Facts had never interested Marcia as much as narrative.
Then:
COLIN:
I don’t want my son raised by Bellafonte employees.
MARCIA:
Then don’t allow it.
COLIN:
Alessandra will say it’s temporary.
MARCIA:
Everything her father gives becomes permanent.
Then the plan.
No title yet.
Just messages.
MARCIA:
First month sets household expectations.
COLIN:
What do you mean?
MARCIA:
She needs to learn you two are a family, not an extension of Giorgio’s house.
COLIN:
How?
MARCIA:
No outside help unless medically necessary. Real routine. Meals. Home. Baby. Rest when work is done.
Rest when work is done.
A newborn household has no end to work.
That sentence was a machine designed to prevent sleep.
Colin replied:
She’s anemic.
Marcia:
Then she moves slowly.
Not:
Then she rests.
Moves slowly.
May you like
Colin knew.
That mattered.
