Chapter 21 - Walt asks for another chance
After Gloria’s conviction, Walt filed a request.
Not guardianship.
Not money.
Supervised contact with Lizzy twice monthly.
Dr. Lane supported a gradual trial if Lizzy wanted.
Lizzy said:
“Only if Aunt Natalie waits outside.”
We agreed.
First session:
Therapist office.
Teddy.
Walt.
He brought nothing.
No gifts.
Good.
He said:
“I’m sorry I didn’t open the door.”
Lizzy:
“You said stop making it worse.”
Walt cried.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid Grandma would yell at me.”
Lizzy stared.
“You’re bigger.”
There.
Therapist later told me with permission.
Walt said:
“You’re right.”
Then:
“Are you scared of Grandma?”
“I was scared of the fight.”
Lizzy:
“That’s dumb.”
At six, clinical precision.
Walt laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
Then she asked:
“Did you take my money?”
He froze.
The therapist stopped.
“Lizzy, adults are handling finances.”
But Lizzy insisted:
“Did you?”
Walt answered carefully.
“I signed for money I thought Grandma and I were allowed to use for taking care of you. The court said some of it was not okay, and I paid it back.”
Not:
No.
Not:
Yes, thief.
Accurate.
Then Lizzy:
“Did you buy the big TV?”
“Yes.”
“Can I have it?”
Walt laughed.
The therapist did too.
“I don’t think the court works that way.”
Lizzy shrugged.
“Worth asking.”
When she came out, she was not crying.
I asked:
“How was it?”
“He’s still dumb.”
“Okay.”
“But less scary.”
That mattered.
Then Gloria requested similar therapeutic contact.
Lizzy said no.
No one forced.
Then Gloria’s sentencing memorandum.
Defense:
First conviction.
Age sixty-three.
No prior record.
Otherwise extensive caregiving.
Child physically recovered.
She had already lost guardianship.
Prosecution:
Repeated conduct after warnings from Walt.
Abuse of guardian authority.
Minimization.
Need meaningful consequence.
Possible sentence:
Short jail + probation.
No years-long fantasy.
Then family court ninety-day review approached.
Dr. Lane updated.
Natalie:
Stable.
No over-monitoring concerns currently.
Lizzy:
Weight regained.
School stable.
Therapy.
Nighttime fears improving.
Walt:
Demonstrating accountability in supervised sessions.
Gloria:
Has not yet accepted full responsibility in evaluator interview despite conviction.
Recommendation:
Permanent guardianship to Natalie.
Walt therapeutic contact.
May you like
Gloria no direct contact until demonstrated accountability and Lizzy clinically ready.
Judge would decide.
