Chapter 23 - The Children Ask
At seven, Ellie asked:
“Why is Uncle Caleb in prison?”
Clara and I had prepared.
“Because he stole money, lied about people, and threatened people to hide it.”
“Did he hurt Mom?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“By keeping her somewhere she did not want to be and frightening her.”
No graphic details.
No making children carry pregnancy fear.
Noah asked:
“Did he hate us?”
Clara looked at me.
I answered:
“He was afraid of what your existence meant for money and power.”
“That’s dumb.”
“Yes.”
“Did he know us?”
“No.”
“Then how can he hate?”
Good question.
“He hated what he imagined losing.”
Ellie said:
“So it wasn’t us.”
“No.”
That was essential.
The children were not responsible for Caleb’s downfall.
Not because born.
Not because inherited.
He chose.
Later Noah asked:
“Did Grandpa Jonathan lie to you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He was afraid of losing control too.”
“Is everyone in family afraid of control?”
Clara laughed.
“Pretty much.”
We made pancakes.
Conversation moved.
May you like
No trauma speech.
Childhood continued.
