PART 13 – My Mother Wanted the Children Together Again, but Nobody Had Asked Whether Eli Was Ready to Trust Them

I didn't answer Mom's message that evening.

I read it several times.

Danielle wanted the children to meet at my parents' house.

That was the condition.

Not an apology.

Not a conversation about what had happened.

Just another family gathering arranged around what Danielle wanted.

I put my phone on the counter.

Eli was in his bedroom.

I could hear him moving things around on his desk.

A few minutes later, he came into the kitchen.

"Did Grandma say something?"

I looked at him.

"She was asking about Lucy."

His face brightened.

"Can I see her?"

I pulled out a chair.

"Maybe. But I want to make sure everything will be okay first."

He sat down.

"Why wouldn't it be?"

I didn't answer immediately.

I didn't want to frighten him.

I also didn't want to make another promise I couldn't keep.

"Because sometimes grown-ups don't behave the way they should."

He looked at the table.

Then he nodded.

I told him I would speak with Grandma.

He went back to his room.

I picked up my phone.

I wrote to Mom that I wasn't comfortable meeting at her house yet.

I suggested that she bring Lucy to our apartment for an afternoon.

That way, the children could spend time together without the larger family gathering.

Mom replied almost immediately.

She said Danielle didn't think that was appropriate.

I stared at the message.

I asked why.

Mom said Danielle wanted to be present whenever Lucy visited.

I understood that.

I wasn't suggesting Lucy should be separated from her mother.

But I also wasn't willing to pretend Danielle's presence had no effect on Eli.

I explained that I wasn't asking Lucy to come alone.

I was asking for a meeting somewhere neutral.

Mom said she would discuss it.

Then the conversation stopped.

The following morning, I drove Eli to school.

He talked about a class project.

I listened and asked him what materials he needed.

When we reached the school entrance, he leaned across the seat and hugged me.

"Bye, Mom."

"Have a good day."

I watched him walk inside.

Then I drove to work.

I spent the morning reviewing insurance documents.

At lunch, I checked my phone.

There was a message from Dad.

He said I needed to stop making everything difficult.

I read it twice.

I didn't respond.

Later that evening, Mom called.

She said Danielle believed I was trying to control who Lucy could see.

I asked whether Danielle had considered how Eli felt.

Mom said she didn't want another argument.

I told her neither did I.

But avoiding an argument wasn't the same as solving the problem.

Mom sighed.

She said Danielle was still my sister.

I looked toward the refrigerator.

The two drawings were still there.

"She's also Eli's aunt."

Mom went quiet.

I continued.

"That should mean she treats him better, not worse."

There was no answer.

We ended the call without making any arrangements.

I felt disappointed.

But I didn't feel guilty.

That was new.

Click here to continue reading: PART 14: The Red Drawing Stayed on Our Refrigerator While I Learned That Protecting My Son Sometimes Meant Disappointing Everyone Else