Chapter 23 - The first meeting
Grace asked to see Natalie when she was almost six.
Not because adults pressured her.
Because Owen was having another birthday.
She wanted to go.
I nearly said no automatically.
Then stopped.
We discussed with Ryan.
Therapist.
Jason.
Natalie.
Conditions:
Short visit.
I stay.
Ryan available.
Grace can leave immediately.
No private bathroom trips.
No physical discipline.
No forced hug.
Natalie agreed.
At the party, there were no crowns.
I noticed.
Owen saw Grace and ran to her.
“Grace!”
They hugged.
Natalie stood across the room.
Waited.
Grace eventually walked toward her.
Natalie crouched.
“Hi.”
Grace stared.
“Hi.”
“Would you like a hug?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
That one word mattered.
Five minutes later, Grace handed Natalie a cupcake wrapper.
“Trash?”
Natalie took it.
“Yep.”
May you like
No drama.
Progress sometimes looks like garbage duty.
