Chapter 15 - THE FIRST TIME NORA SAYS NO TO THERESA’S NAME
Nora’s school had Grandparents Day.
Theresa had attended the previous year.
This year, the teacher sent a form.
Guest name?
Nora left it blank.
Then asked me:
“Can Mom come?”
Audrey was still immunocompromised.
The school had an outdoor portion.
Her oncologist approved a short masked visit if counts remained stable.
Nora wrote:
MOM.
Then looked at me.
“Is Mom grandparent?”
“No.”
“Form says grandparent.”
“Teachers survive paperwork mistakes.”
She laughed.
Audrey came.
Thirty minutes.
Sat outside.
Nora showed her classroom through the window.
No Theresa.
No dramatic exclusion announcement.
Just a different guest.
Later Theresa’s attorney requested therapeutic contact.
Nora said no.
No court forced it.
Theresa had enough prior relationship that she could attempt a visitation petition eventually, but the criminal case and protective order made immediate contact unlikely.
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We did not promise permanent estrangement.
We respected current no.
