Chapter 11 - A Mother Returns to a Stranger
Marianne’s first scheduled visit with Melusine lasted forty-three minutes.
A therapist supervised.
Not because Marianne was dangerous.
Because five-year-olds do not need adults improvising reunification after presumed death.
Melusine entered holding my hand.
Marianne sat across the room.
No dramatic rush.
No music.
No one told Melusine to hug.
She stared at Marianne.
Then at the cane.
“Does leg hurt?”
“Sometimes.”
“Did crash do?”
“Yes.”
“Did crash make brain forget?”
“Yes.”
Melusine looked at me.
“Daddy says.”
Marianne smiled.
“He’s right.”
Then came the question.
“Why didn’t you find me?”
Marianne’s face changed.
“I tried when I remembered enough.”
“You remembered Daddy first?”
“No.”
“What first?”
Marianne thought.
“Your nickname.”
“What?”
“Lulu.”
Melusine looked offended.
“Nobody calls me Lulu.”
“I did.”
“No.”
“You were a baby.”
“How prove?”
Marianne laughed unexpectedly.
Then showed her a tiny knitted hat recovered with her belongings after the accident.
Melusine stared.
“That mine?”
“Yes.”
“Ugly.”
I nearly laughed.
Marianne did.
“It was.”
The tension broke.
Ten minutes later Melusine sat beside her.
Not on her lap yet.
May you like
Beside.
Progress measured in inches.
