Chapter 10 - Why Simone Hated Callie’s Birthday
The party itself had become symbolic to Simone before she arrived.
I learned this from messages produced later in the criminal case and custody proceedings.
The morning of Callie’s birthday, Simone texted Vivienne:
Are you still refusing to tell Enzo until after the party?
Vivienne replied:
I am telling him this week. Not at Callie’s birthday.
Simone:
You keep postponing because you know he will say no.
Vivienne:
I’m postponing because today belongs to his daughter.
Simone:
Exactly my point.
Vivienne did not answer.
That sentence mattered.
Exactly my point.
To Simone, Callie’s priority was the obstacle.
Later:
Iris needs to know adults don’t always organize the world around Callie.
Vivienne replied:
Stop. This has nothing to do with Callie.
Simone:
Everything in that house has to do with Callie.
Vivienne:
She is seven.
Simone:
And already thinks everyone exists to celebrate her.
A birthday party.
The evidence Simone used to prove indulgence was a birthday party.
She arrived already resentful.
Then she saw the rooftop transformed for Callie.
Cake.
Flowers.
Children.
Callie wearing a peach dress.
At some point before I returned, Simone told her:
“Iris may stay with your family after my surgery.”
Callie answered:
“She can visit.”
Simone said:
“She may be more than a visitor.”
Callie:
“She has a dad.”
Simple.
Accurate.
Simone took the sentence as disrespect.
Then Callie added, according to two child guests who heard parts:
“My family doesn’t need another daughter.”
That explained Simone’s later words.
Callie had repeated what I had told her privately after the hospital? Wait sequence at party before shove. We hadn't told. She likely could say instinctively. Let's adjust: She said "I'm the daughter here." A seven-year-old territorial response.
Simone replied:
“You’re not the center of everything.”
Callie walked away.
At the top of the stairs, Simone caught her shoulder.
Then shoved.
Not a calculated assassination.
Not a planned fall.
An adult losing control because a child refused the role assigned to her.
That made it no less serious.
In some ways it made it more revealing.
Simone did not need Callie gone permanently.
She needed Callie to accept that Iris would be inserted into the family structure.
When Callie resisted, Simone treated resistance as disrespect.
May you like
That was the word she used while watching a child fall.
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