Chapter 11 - ELLIOT HEARS TOO MUCH
I made my next mistake with words.
That evening, Elliot asked:
“Was Aunt Aurelia trying to take us?”
I was still furious.
“Yes.”
Too simple.
His face changed.
“Forever?”
“No.”
I corrected too late.
“What does take mean?”
Exactly.
I sat beside him.
“She was trying to get more control over where you live and who makes everyday decisions.”
“Like kidnap?”
“No.”
“Then why say take?”
Because fathers in anger use adult shorthand and children hear literal danger.
“I said it badly.”
He looked at me.
“Would police let her?”
“No one has decided anything like that.”
Then:
“Can she take Clara?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
I wanted to say no one ever will.
Instead:
“You are both with me now. There are court rules keeping her away while adults handle this.”
He nodded.
Not satisfied.
Neither was I.
Dr. Flynn later said:
“Do not make him monitor the legal case.”
“I know.”
May you like
“Do you?”
Apparently not.
