Chapter 22 - The first visit with Barton Neutral family therapy center.
Thirty minutes.
Ottilie was eleven.
Barton seventy.
Older.
Slower after stroke.
Still mentally sharp.
No physical disability performance meant to extract sympathy.
Ottilie entered with Dr. Monroe.
I waited nearby.
Cedric waited in another room.
Barton stood.
Then sat because therapist asked everyone to stay predictable.
“Hi, Ottilie.”
“Hi.”
No hug.
The stuffed kitten sat in Ottilie’s lap.
Original.
Repaired.
One ear still slightly stained.
Barton looked at it.
“I remember.”
“I know.”
Silence.
Then Ottilie asked:
“Why did you throw her?”
Barton answered:
“Because I knew it would hurt your feelings.”
No:
To teach discipline.
Good.
“Why?”
“I wanted you to obey me.”
“Why did you care so much?”
“Because I thought if people did not obey me, everything would fall apart.”
She frowned.
“Everything?”
“My business. Your dad. The family.”
“That’s dumb.”
“Yes.”
Children.
Then:
“Did you want Mommy gone?”
Barton paused.
“I wanted her to stop fighting the loan.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Dr. Monroe did not rescue him.
“I thought things would be easier if your father had more control for a while.”
“So yes?”
“For a while, yes.”
Ottilie looked down.
Then:
“Did you hate her?”
“No.”
“Did you hate me?”
“No.”
“Then why hose?”
Barton closed his eyes.
“Because love didn’t stop me from being cruel.”
That was the sentence.
No excuse.
Ottilie cried.
Asked to leave.
Visit ended at nineteen minutes.
No pressure to finish.
Outside she hugged me.
Then Cedric.
Both.
She said:
“I don’t want another for a while.”
Fine.
Barton respected.
Then his attorney? No longer needed.
Good.
Active legal conflict shifted to Cedric’s record/financial rehab and final corporate. But user wants through Ch26 active decisions. We can have post-divorce modification and house/trust? No trust. Maybe child therapy and contact. Could be enough family conflict. But need some legal/business active.
Heartland internal civil claim with Barton’s notary insurer maybe final. Maybe Barton contests professional discipline? Already revoked. Could appeal notary revocation. Not important.
May you like
Maybe Cedric petitions to expunge? State-specific. Avoid.
Perhaps a criminal appeal on Barton still pending? We had affirmed most. Could final appellate decision in Ch23. Then Cedric seeks probation completion and parenting-time equalization. Ch24. Barton estate/business governance in Ch25. Ch26 final near-term resolution. Good.
