Chapter 5 - Daphne Had Heard More Than I Knew
Daphne’s forensic interview happened three days after the wedding.
I was not in the room.
That was correct.
Afterward, her therapist, Dr. Rebecca Lane, gave me only what I needed for safety and parenting.
Daphne said Miranda had been saying strange things for approximately six weeks.
Not:
I’m going to kill you.
Not:
You are going away forever.
Smaller statements.
“When Daddy and I have our real family, things change.”
“You’re old enough to spend more time with Aunt Elise.”
Elise was Juliana’s sister.
A wonderful woman.
Daphne loved her.
That made the statement sound benign if overheard.
Then:
“After the wedding, the house is for grown-ups and babies.”
Another:
“You won’t need the big bedroom.”
Daphne had asked:
“Where I sleep?”
Miranda said:
“We’ll decide.”
The most direct statement occurred two days before the wedding.
Daphne told Dr. Lane:
“She said after wedding I disappear for a while because Daddy needs a honeymoon and then baby time.”
Daphne asked:
“What baby?”
Miranda answered:
“You’ll see.”
There.
Miranda had seeded it.
Not enough for Daphne to understand.
Enough to make her afraid.
Why had Daphne not told me?
She tried.
The previous Sunday she asked:
“Daddy, if you have another kid do I go Aunt Elise?”
I answered while reading wedding emails:
“Of course not.”
Then:
“You can visit Aunt Elise whenever you want.”
I thought I had reassured her.
I did not ask why she asked.
Another fragment lost because an adult supplied a harmless interpretation.
Again.
I began to see how catastrophe builds.
Not from zero clues.
May you like
From clues that fit easier explanations.
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