Chapter 7: Visitation
Daniel’s first scheduled visitation took place the following Saturday.
I had agreed to a neutral exchange at the library parking lot. He arrived on time, dressed carefully, and greeted the children with a warmth that looked practiced. Lily hugged him. Noah was more reserved. I stayed by the car until they were buckled in, then drove home to a quiet house.
The three hours felt longer than they should have.
When Daniel returned them, Noah was quiet and Lily was watchful. I did not interrogate them. I simply made dinner, kept the evening calm, and let them settle back into the rhythm of the house. Later, while I was brushing Lily’s hair, she said, almost casually, “Daddy asked if I liked Vanessa.”
I kept the brush moving steadily.
“And what did you say?”
“I said I didn’t know her. Then he changed the subject.”
“That was a good answer.”
She met my eyes in the mirror.
“Are you mad at him?”
I considered the honest answer and chose the one she needed.
“I’m disappointed in some of the choices he made. But you don’t have to take care of my feelings. You only have to tell the truth and know that you’re safe here.”
She nodded, satisfied.
After both children were in bed, I sent Rebecca a brief update about the Vanessa question. She noted it. Patterns mattered more than single comments, but everything was being documented.
May you like
Daniel was still testing the edges of the new reality.
I was not interested in helping him find comfortable ones.
