Chapter 18 - WHAT MICHAEL KNEWThe main truth arrived gradually.
Michael had known Linda was using more than herbal tea.
He claimed he did not know the exact drug.
I believed that part eventually.
But he knew:
Linda had two droppers.
One herbal.
One “stronger.”
He knew the stronger mixture came from her prescription medication.
How?
Because Linda told him.
Months earlier.
She had used the stronger one herself during a panic episode.
Michael saw.
Later, when Emma began having school anxiety, Linda suggested:
“A tiny bit settles the body.”
Michael said no the first time.
Then Emma had a panic attack before a spelling competition.
He let Linda make the drink.
Emma became sleepy.
The competition went badly.
Michael still let it happen again.
Why?
Because Emma stopped panicking.
That was the terrible reinforcement.
Immediate problem solved.
Future danger invisible.
He told himself Linda knew what she was doing because she had raised three children.
She told herself a small amount could not be dangerous because she took the medication herself.
Neither asked a doctor.
Neither told me.
Neither told Emma what it was.
The secrecy was not accidental.
May you like
They knew I would refuse.
That fact mattered more than every excuse.
Related Stories
