Chapter 5 - Marcus Saw the Problem Before I Wanted To
My ex-husband Marcus disliked Carla.
Not because she helped me.
Because she commented on:
our divorce,
his parenting,
his income,
his girlfriend,
his schedule.
During one custody exchange, Carla told him:
“Maybe if you lived closer, your daughter wouldn’t need other people raising her.”
Marcus stared.
Then looked at me.
“Did you hear that?”
I said:
“Carla, stop.”
Not enough.
Later Marcus said:
“She thinks she’s Lily’s parent.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“She helps.”
“She controls.”
I became defensive.
“That’s easy for you to say from Nashville.”
True.
Also diversion.
Marcus paid more than required some months.
He traveled to Lily.
He did not abandon her.
But because he was not handling:
Tuesday homework,
school pickup,
sick days,
I resented him criticizing the person who helped me survive them.
He said:
“I’m not saying she never helps.”
“I’m saying you’re letting help buy authority.”
That sentence stayed with me.
May you like
I did nothing with it.
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