Chapter 12 - MY MISTAKE
I made a new one.
I posted a photograph of the chain.
Not Lily.
Just the chain and patio post.
Caption:
This is what “family” did to my seven-year-old.
Within hours, local parent groups found Margaret’s name.
Then the birthday venue.
Then Jessica.
Comments exploded.
Someone published Margaret’s address.
Someone threatened her.
I deleted the post.
Too late.
Natalie called.
“What were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t.”
“Correct.”
Margaret’s lawyer used it to claim I was orchestrating harassment.
Fair enough.
Daniel called furious.
“You put Mom’s address online?”
“No.”
“Your post led people there.”
“I know.”
“Claire.”
“I know.”
Then he surprised me.
“Lily doesn’t need this becoming entertainment.”
He was right.
I hated that.
I issued one short statement:
Do not contact or threaten anyone involved. The matter concerns a child and is being handled privately.
Then silence.
The mistake cost me credibility.
It also scared Lily when another parent at school mentioned “the chain story.”
I apologized to her.
“I was angry and used the internet like a weapon.”
She asked:
“Did Grandma see?”
“Probably.”
“Good.”
May you like
Seven.
Still learning.
