Chapter 15 - Iris’s Fear
Iris’s therapist, Dr. Naomi Chen, shared only information Nathan and Simone both authorized for care coordination.
Not private session content.
Enough.
Iris feared three things.
That Simone would die.
That Nathan would relapse.
That she would be sent somewhere without warning.
The Morello plan briefly reduced the third fear because Simone presented it as certainty.
“If something happens to me, you go to Aunt Vivienne.”
Simple.
Children like simple.
Then Callie’s birthday destroyed it.
Now Iris knew:
Vivienne had withdrawn.
Nathan was angry.
Simone had been arrested? Not necessarily arrested at scene but charged. She knew police were involved.
Her contingency vanished.
Dr. Chen asked the adults to stop telling Iris where she would “go” in hypothetical catastrophes.
Instead:
“Your parents and the court already have adults whose job is to make sure you are cared for. Your dad is here. Your mom is preparing for surgery. There are backup relatives. No one is deciding your entire future today.”
Less certainty.
More truth.
At first Iris hated it.
“What if Dad drinks?”
Nathan answered:
“I keep doing the work that has kept me sober. If I ever become unsafe, adults respond.”
“What if Mom dies?”
Simone cried.
Nathan did not say:
She won’t.
The surgery had high success rates, but adults should not promise immortality.
“If something happens, you will still have people who love you and legal adults making decisions.”
“What if I want Vivienne?”
Nathan paused.
“Then your voice matters too.”
That was the healthiest answer.
A child is not luggage handed to whichever adult paperwork names first.
Her preference matters.
So do legal rights.
Safety.
Facts at that future moment.
May you like
Not one frightened mother’s permanent prediction.
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