Chapter 20 - Eleanor loses something she valued
Eleanor cared about Hartwell Manor.
The company.
Reputation.
But she cared most about being:
Grandma Eleanor.
The center.
Holiday hostess.
Keeper of family tradition.
I did not let Lily stay alone with her after the gala.
Eleanor reacted exactly as expected.
“You think I would hit her?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“You watched Chloe hit her and Julian demean her. Your first concern was the phone.”
“I was in shock.”
“I believe you.”
“Then?”
“I need to know you will act next time.”
She called it punishment.
For six months, visits were with me or Robert present.
Then therapy-supported short outings.
Eleanor resented every step.
Eventually she stopped arguing.
Behavior improved.
She asked Lily:
“Can Grandma pick you up from school Thursday?”
Not:
I’ll pick her up.
If I said no:
“Okay.”
Old Eleanor treated family access as title.
May you like
New Eleanor learned it was permission.
Slowly.
