Chapter 8 - ETHAN’S VERSIONA child interviewer spoke with Ethan.
Not me.
Not Ryan.
Later I received only the safety summary.
Ethan said Linda often told him:
“This house belongs to your dad’s family now.”
False.
She told him I was “too weak to manage everything.”
She told him grown-ups needed rooms more than children.
She told him Mr. Chomp was embarrassing.
She also told him:
“When Grandma moves in, things will finally be organized.”
Not temporary.
Moves in.
The interviewer asked whether Dad said anything.
Ethan answered:
“Dad said don’t make Grandma mad because she’s helping us.”
Helping with what?
Ethan did not know.
Then:
“Grandma said Mom doesn’t know money.”
My stomach tightened.
Linda had been building hierarchy inside my child’s head.
Dad handles money.
Grandma understands houses.
Mom is fragile.
Ethan obeys.
May you like
Simple.
Dangerous.
