Chapter 21 - The second therapeutic visit
Margaret arrived with a small box.
Therapist checked.
Inside:
Six new birthday candles.
Emma looked at them.
“No cake?”
“No.”
Margaret smiled carefully.
“I thought maybe candles were safer.”
Emma laughed.
First laugh with her in months.
Then Margaret said:
“I owe you something.”
Therapist watched.
Not apology again?
Margaret continued:
“I kept writing down when you cried.”
Emma nodded.
“I know.”
“I made it seem like crying meant something was wrong with you.”
Emma looked at therapist.
Then Margaret.
“Mom cries.”
Margaret smiled sadly.
“Yes.”
“Dad too.”
“Yes.”
“Do you cry?”
Margaret paused.
“More lately.”
Emma accepted.
Then:
“Can we stop talking about crying?”
Therapist laughed.
“Yes.”
They played Uno.
Margaret lost.
She accused Emma of cheating.
Then immediately said:
“I’m joking.”
Emma stared.
Then smiled.
That was how careful the relationship had become.
Not natural yet.
Maybe it would.
Maybe not.
Then at the end Margaret asked:
“Can I come to your school art night?”
Emma looked at therapist.
“You can say yes, no, or I don’t know.”
“I don’t know.”
Margaret nodded.
“Okay.”
No pressure.
Later Emma decided yes.
Both Jason and I attended.
Margaret stood on the other side of room.
Did not monopolize.
No camera.
May you like
No commentary.
Behavior.
