Chapter 22 - Erin and Mason
Erin’s repair with Mason was harder than Walter’s apology.
Because Mason still lived with her.
Every day.
He loved her.
And knew she had not acted when he first told.
At nine he asked:
“Why didn’t you believe me?”
Erin answered honestly.
“I partly believed you.”
That hurt worse.
“Then why?”
“I was scared.”
“Of Grandpa?”
“Of losing help. Of court. Of your dad saying I kept you somewhere unsafe.”
Mason stared.
“So you kept me unsafe so Dad wouldn’t say unsafe?”
There.
Child logic exposing adult contradiction.
Erin cried.
“Yes.”
No better answer.
Mason stopped talking to her for rest of evening.
Fine.
She did not demand forgiveness.
Therapy helped them create safety plan.
If Mason reported physical harm:
No private family investigation first.
Medical if needed.
Other parent informed.
Professional guidance.
No:
Let me ask Grandpa what he meant.
No:
Don’t exaggerate.
The schedule with Tyler stabilized.
Erin eventually regained equal overnights by agreement after demonstrating reliable boundaries.
Tyler did not use the case forever.
He could have.
Instead he told her:
“Mason needs parents, not winners.”
Good.
Their co-parenting improved because both hated what secrecy had done.
Not friendship.
Function.
May you like
Enough.
────────────────────
