Chapter 11 - Ariel Remembered the Star
Family court appointed child specialist because Glen’s counsel requested normal parenting time and my lawyer raised concern about involving Ariel in secrecy.
Nobody interrogated three-year-old like witness.
A child therapist met her through play.
I did not sit inside.
The therapist’s report was careful.
Ariel associated the blue phone with Glen because she placed star sticker on it.
She had seen Glen and Clara together in Richard’s garage.
She remembered being told:
“Don’t tell Mommy about work phone.”
She did not demonstrate understanding of affair.
She was not coached.
No evidence Glen physically endangered her.
But asking child to keep adult secrets was inappropriate.
The temporary parenting plan:
Ariel primarily with me.
Glen received frequent daytime visitation.
No overnight initially because his housing was unstable and investigation ongoing.
No contact between Ariel and Clara during temporary order.
Not because Clara was dangerous by definition.
Because adults needed stop triangulating child.
Glen accepted after initial objection.
He was a good father in many routines.
That complicated my anger.
Ariel ran to him at exchanges.
He brought her back on time.
Packed snacks.
Sent photos only through approved co-parenting app.
Never used her to ask about me after court warning.
People can commit serious wrongdoing in one domain and still possess genuine love in another.
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Courts have to hold both facts.
So did I.
