Chapter 8 - Daniel Had Been Teaching Noah to Fear His Mother’s Emotions
The child therapist discovered that part.
Noah drew his family during his third session.
Daniel stood on one side.
Claire on the other.
Noah placed himself in the middle.
The therapist asked:
“Why are you there?”
“So they don’t fight.”
“That’s a big job.”
“Daddy says Mommy gets upset.”
“What happens when Mommy gets upset?”
Noah shrugged.
“Daddy says give her space.”
“Does Mommy hurt you?”
“No.”
“Does she scare you?”
Noah thought.
“When Daddy says she might.”
Claire had to leave the observation room.
Daniel had never directly told Noah:
Your mother is dangerous.
He used smaller sentences.
“Don’t make Mom upset.”
“Let’s not tell Mom yet.”
“Mom’s emotional today.”
“We need to keep her calm.”
A six-year-old absorbed the message.
Mother’s emotions were dangerous.
Father managed them.
Grandmother judged them.
And Noah had begun monitoring Claire instead of simply being her child.
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That was the damage Claire cared about most.
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