Chapter 21 - The family court petition
Drusilla had filed for grandparent visitation after I cut contact.
She could not seek guardianship anymore? She technically could, but criminal findings made it unrealistic. Her attorney withdrew any caregiving/guardianship request.
She asked only:
Therapeutic contact.
Future supervised visits.
No overnights initially.
I opposed until after sentencing.
Then Dr. Maya Hollis evaluated Elowen’s readiness.
Elowen missed:
Grandma’s garden.
Pancakes.
The bracelet.
She feared:
Hose.
Shed.
Being punished for telling.
Dr. Hollis recommended:
No forced reconciliation.
One therapeutic letter.
Then possible session if Elowen agrees.
Drusilla’s first draft:
I’m sorry things became frightening that day.
Rejected.
Passive.
Second:
I sprayed you with the hose because I was angry that you took the key. I should not have done that. I also told you I would lock you outside if you showed your dad. That was wrong. You were right to tell him.
Better.
Then:
The other children should not have been locked in the shed.
Specific.
Elowen read it.
Then said:
“Does Grandma still have hose?”
Five.
Priorities.
I said:
“Probably.”
“Can she not use it when I’m there?”
“We can make that rule.”
Then:
“Can she say sorry in person?”
I cried after she left room.
Not because reconciliation.
May you like
Because Elowen wanted her grandmother back in some form.
That was more complicated than anger.
