Chapter 11
Beatrice took longer.
Because mothers believe love grants arguments others do not have.
She kept saying:
“I protected Lily.”
I kept answering:
“You separated her.”
“She was safe.”
“She was frightened.”
“She would have adjusted.”
That sentence ended the conversation every time.
Adjustment is not proof something is right.
Children adjust to almost anything.
That is why adults must be careful.
Eventually Beatrice stopped defending the Briar House decision.
Not because I won.
Because Lily asked her:
“Why you tell me Mommy left?”
Beatrice had no strategy for direct innocence.
She crouched.
“Because Grandma was wrong.”
Lily accepted that faster than any adult would.
Then:
“Don’t do again.”
“I won’t.”
May you like
Simple boundary.
Hard-earned.
