Chapter 23 - DANIEL COMES HOMEDaniel moved home when Lily was fourteen months old.
Not after one romantic speech.
After work.
Months of it.
Individual therapy.
Couples counseling.
Parenting alone.
No contact with Patricia beyond practical messages through counsel.
No minimizing.
No pushing me to forgive.
No asking when his mother could see Lily.
He once said:
“I miss her.”
I replied:
“I know.”
That was allowed.
Missing Patricia did not mean he disagreed with the boundary.
He asked:
“Can I talk to Rebecca about Mom?”
“Of course.”
“What if I eventually talk to Mom?”
“You’re an adult.”
He looked surprised.
I said:
“Our boundary is Lily. I’m not your jailer.”
That distinction was important.
Control had damaged enough people already.
When he moved back, we did not call it starting over.
May you like
That sounded too easy.
We called it returning with more information.
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