Chapter 14 - Lily Stopped Saying “Mommy Too”
For months after Caroline returned, Lily repeated the phrase.
“Mommy too.”
Sometimes near glass doors.
Sometimes when she saw ice in a drink.
Sometimes for no obvious reason.
Caroline never corrected her.
Never said:
“That didn’t happen.”
Because something had happened.
Lily’s memory was fragmented.
But real.
Instead Caroline answered:
“Mommy’s here.”
Over and over.
Eventually the phrase faded.
At two and a half, Lily began speaking in longer sentences.
At three, she barely remembered the gala consciously.
At four, she asked why there was a picture of Daddy holding her in a blue dress with “broken glass” behind him.
It wasn’t glass.
Ice.
Ethan told her only what was age appropriate.
“You were scared. Daddy picked you up.”
“Did you save me?”
“I got you out.”
“Was Mommy there?”
“Not that day.”
Lily accepted it and ran off.
Children do not need every truth immediately.
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They need adults who will tell the truth in pieces they can safely carry.
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