Chapter 14 - Emily tells us about the “rules”
Derek had rules.
Some Laura knew.
Some she did not.
No calling Michael during:
Family dinner.
Homework.
Punishment.
No entering the garage.
No touching his tools.
No asking about money.
No opening Laura’s mail.
No going near the pool while he worked.
Some reasonable.
Some not.
The dangerous rule:
“If Derek says quiet, you stay quiet until he says done.”
Emily described being made to sit facing a wall for up to thirty minutes.
Once, fifty.
No physical restraint.
No food deprivation.
No cage before Thursday.
At least none she reported.
He had also told her:
“Your mom and dad divorced because they couldn’t manage you.”
That made me physically ill.
Was it criminal?
No.
Was it emotionally abusive?
Yes.
Laura cried when she heard.
“I never knew.”
Emily looked at her.
“I told you he said divorce was because I’m hard.”
Laura covered her face.
That was the warning she remembered.
She had answered:
“He was probably teasing.”
She apologized.
Not:
I’m sorry you took it wrong.
May you like
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask more.”
Good.
