Chapter 12 - THE HAIRCUT THREATA week before the lawn incident, Sophie had asked my sister Caroline something.
Caroline told me only after police became involved.
“I thought it was a weird kid question.”
“What?”
“She asked if grown-ups are allowed to cut your hair when they’re mad.”
My chest tightened.
“What did you say?”
“I said parents decide about haircuts sometimes, but nobody should cut you to scare or hurt you.”
“Then?”
“She said okay.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Caroline’s eyes filled.
“I didn’t know there was something to tell.”
Fair.
Then she remembered another detail.
Sophie had asked:
“If Daddy says Claudia is in charge, does that mean she can do everything?”
I sat down.
There it was again.
My authority transmitted through Claudia.
Not legally absolute.
Psychologically enormous.
A six-year-old does not parse delegation.
She hears:
Daddy chose her.
Daddy believes her.
Daddy will support her.
So when Claudia said:
May you like
Daddy thinks you’re difficult,
Sophie had evidence that sounded close enough.
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