Chapter 16 - Why Sarah needed Tyler to be special
Therapy did not magically explain Sarah.
But history helped.
Sarah grew up in a family where sons inherited the business.
Daughters received wedding money.
Her younger brother became owner of their father’s hardware store despite Sarah working there from age sixteen.
She resented it for decades.
Then repeated the same value system.
That fascinated Michael.
“How can she hate what happened to her and still do it?”
Our therapist answered:
“People do not always reject the systems that hurt them. Sometimes they try to secure a better position inside them.”
Sarah could not be the son.
So she became the mother of the son.
Michael’s accomplishments became proof that the Carter line continued through her.
Rebecca’s marriage felt like losing a daughter.
Olivia’s existence fit the same old category.
Loved.
But temporary.
Tyler became legacy.
None of this excused the slap.
It explained why a hot dog became larger than food in Sarah’s mind.
Tyler was giving something away after she told him not to.
Olivia was receiving what Sarah believed belonged to the boy.
Control.
Preference.
May you like
Hierarchy.
All compressed into one ugly second.
