Chapter 9 - LOVE AS A TEST
Lacey’s statement was precise.
Not dramatic.
She had arrived at Thomasin’s condo at 8:40 p.m.
Lowri was crying.
A photograph of Carys had been placed on a high shelf.
Honora was telling Lowri:
“If you want the picture, show Thomasin you can be a big girl first.”
Lowri asked for Mommy.
Honora answered:
“Thomasin is here.”
Then:
“You have to learn who takes care of you now.”
No demand to say Mommy in Lacey’s original statement.
Thomasin’s later memory may have exaggerated or blended.
Important.
Then Lacey wrote:
Thomasin appeared uncomfortable but did not initially intervene.
After Lowri became distressed, Thomasin returned the photograph.
Honora objected.
Lacey told Honora the exercise was inappropriate and threatened to call Alwyn.
Honora said:
“He agrees she needs to adjust.”
I had never agreed.
There.
Lacey left with Lowri? No legal authority. Instead she insisted Thomasin call me. Did anyone?
My phone records.
Thomasin called at 9:12.
Missed.
I was in hospital room.
She did not leave voicemail.
I called back at 10:03.
Call duration:
43 seconds.
What did Thomasin tell me?
I did not remember.
She claimed now:
“I said Lowri had a rough bedtime.”
Probably.
I likely said:
“Get her to sleep.”
God.
Then Carys learned next day.
She confronted everyone.
I had been exhausted.
Carys told me Mother had “played replacement games.”
I asked Mother.
Mother said:
“Carys is twisting a difficult bedtime.”
I believed Mother enough to avoid fight.
Then Carys hired Jonathan to create caregiver restriction.
Then wrote photo warning.
The chain was clear.
Still one missing piece:
Attachment Seven recording.
Would it prove the exact incident?
Maybe.
Would it show Mother’s intent beyond Lacey’s statement?
Unknown.
Then child specialist asked Lowri about current memory.
At five, she remembered fragments.
“Grandma puts Mommy away.”
Where?
“Pictures.”
“When?”
“Lots.”
Could include recent events.
No pressing details.
Then:
“Does Grandma love you?”
Lowri nodded.
“Yes.”
“Do you love Grandma?”
Long pause.
“Yes.”
“Do you want to see her?”
“If she doesn’t make Mommy disappear.”
There.
That became the therapeutic condition.
Not court victory.
Behavioral safety.
Then Mother’s response was terrible.
She wrote through counsel:
“I cannot participate in a ritual where a five-year-old dictates how adults grieve.”
Naomi showed me.
I felt rage.
Then stopped.
“Keep it.”
Evidence of current attitude.
A week later Mother sent revised statement:
“I understand Lowri needs reassurance that remembering Carys is allowed.”
Better.
Maybe lawyer.
Maybe genuine.
Actions later.
Then off-site archive called Jonathan.
They found a sealed evidence pouch.
Label:
CARYS MERCER — LOWRI / MARCH 6.
Inside:
USB drive.
Signed statement.
Printed transcript.
Chain-of-custody note.
Tomorrow everyone’s lawyers would inspect simultaneously.
May you like
Ch10.
Finally.
