Chapter 9 - June Was Supposed to Choose
A child psychologist appointed during the family-court process reviewed Caroline’s recordings.
Most were boring.
Breakfast.
Homework.
Car rides.
Then one clip stood out.
Caroline sat beside June on the sofa.
“If Mommy and I ever lived in different houses, where would you stay?”
June looked confused.
“With Mommy.”
Caroline laughed.
“No, silly. I mean some days with Mommy, some with me.”
“Why?”
“Just pretend.”
“I don't want to.”
“June.”
“I want our house.”
Caroline stopped recording.
Another video.
“Who helps you when Mommy's working?”
“You.”
“Who helps more?”
“Both.”
“June.”
“What?”
“Think.”
The psychologist later described the pattern carefully.
Not brainwashing.
Not enough evidence for melodramatic labels.
But repeated efforts to shape a child’s account.
To encourage comparison.
To make June rank parents.
Then June's patio words gained another meaning.
Mom always comes home.
She was not simply defending me.
May you like
She was refusing the premise that my work meant abandonment.
And Caroline punished her for breaking the story.
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