Chapter 4 - Helena Made Claire Bring Food So She Could Take It Away
The plate in the garage had not been random.
Claire had been ordered to carry it there.
That detail bothered Enzo.
“Why involve you?”
Claire hesitated.
“Because she wanted Leo to see food coming.”
Enzo stared at her.
Claire continued.
If Helena simply withheld a meal, Leo cried.
But if he saw Claire approaching with food, hope returned.
Then Helena could make the reward conditional again.
Finish the car.
Stop crying.
Say sorry.
Call her Mommy.
Obey without asking questions.
The garage punishment worked because the food was visible.
Sometimes Helena allowed Leo two bites.
Then took the plate away after an invented mistake.
Sometimes she made Claire leave it on a nearby stool while Leo worked.
Once, according to Claire, Leo crawled toward the plate because he was so hungry.
Helena moved it farther away.
“Did you ever feed him anyway?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“At night.”
Claire had begun hiding crackers, bananas, yogurt pouches, and small sandwiches in the laundry room.
Leo learned to wait until Helena went upstairs.
That was why his health had not deteriorated more severely.
Claire’s voice broke.
“But yesterday she found the food.”
Helena emptied Claire’s hidden basket into the trash.
Then told her:
“If you undermine me again, you’re gone before Enzo gets home.”
That explained Leo’s words.
I haven’t eaten since yesterday.
Not exaggeration.
Claire had been the only adult quietly interrupting Helena’s system.
Yesterday—
May you like
Helena stopped her too.
---
Related Stories
