Chapter 21 - Eliza does not move in immediately
Establishing paternity did not cause Megan to hand me a suitcase.
Good.
Eliza had already lost Hannah.
Taking Megan instantly would create another loss.
My visits expanded.
Two hours.
Half day.
Full day.
Dinner.
One overnight.
Weekend.
At first she called me Daddy every time.
Then suddenly:
Ryan.
That hurt more than I expected.
Dr. Brooks said:
“She is testing language.”
I hated therapeutic sentences that turned pain into developmental normality.
Still true.
Eliza once asked:
“Did you know me when baby?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Adults kept information from me.”
“Grandpa?”
“Yes.”
“Claire?”
“Yes.”
“Mom?”
Hardest.
“Hannah tried to contact me when she was pregnant. Later she also waited too long to try again.”
Eliza’s face changed.
“Mom bad?”
“No.”
“Claire bad?”
Same trap.
“People can make serious wrong choices without becoming only one thing.”
She looked unconvinced.
Five-year-olds prefer categories.
Eventually she said:
“Megan good.”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
At nine months after paternity confirmation, primary residence transitioned to me.
Not total custody.
Megan retained generous contact by agreement.
One weekend most months.
Part holidays.
Summer week.
Calls anytime.
I signed it willingly.
May you like
The Carter men before me would have called that surrendering authority.
I called it not stealing my daughter’s aunt.
