Chapter 6 - Vivian Began Removing Daniel From Our House
The first item was:
his watch.
Robert had given Daniel a stainless-steel Omega on his college graduation.
Vivian took it from:
our bedroom dresser.
I noticed two days later.
“Did you take Daniel’s watch?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“It was his father’s.”
“Daniel wore it.”
“So?”
“So I wasn’t done with it.”
She stared.
“Done?”
I immediately hated the word.
“I mean I wanted to keep it with his things.”
“It belongs in the Walker family.”
I looked at my stomach.
“Grace is the Walker family.”
Vivian’s face changed.
That was the first time I saw:
resentment
directed toward my unborn child.
Not imagined.
Visible.
She returned:
the watch
after Daniel’s estate attorney explained personal property should not be removed casually until we reviewed ownership and any written instructions.
Vivian was furious.
Then came:
photos.
Daniel’s high school awards.
His baseball glove.
Letters from his father.
Some things genuinely belonged to:
Vivian
or had originated in her house.
I was willing to share.
What disturbed me was her assumption that everything Daniel had touched became:
hers
when he died.
I said:
“We need to make a list.”
She answered:
“You’re inventorying my child.”
No productive response to:
that.
So I postponed.
May you like
Again.
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