Chapter 7
Maisie asked about Iris on the fourth night.
She was in bed with her stuffed rabbit tucked under her chin.
“Is she my sister?”
Dominic sat in the chair beside her.
“Yes.”
“Like twins?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t I know her?”
He could have blamed Lucinda entirely.
Part of him wanted to.
Instead he said:
“Because grown-ups made choices that kept you apart.”
“Bad choices?”
“Yes.”
“You too?”
The question landed cleanly.
Dominic looked at the floor.
“Yes.”
Maisie’s eyes filled.
“You knew?”
“No. Not about Iris.”
“Then how?”
“I made the house scary enough that your mother didn’t feel safe telling me everything.”
Maisie did not understand all of it.
She understood enough.
“Was Mommy bad?”
“No.”
“Lucinda said she left me.”
Dominic’s voice roughened.
“She tried to protect you.”
“Did she love me?”
“Yes.”
The answer had to be immediate.
“Yes.”
That became the first repair.
Not custody.
Not court.
A child hearing that her mother had not abandoned her.
Meanwhile, Marianne refused initial direct contact between Dominic and Iris.
Her attorney said:
“My client fears Mr. Valenti’s criminal history and influence.”
Dominic’s attorney objected.
The judge said:
“That fear is not irrational.”
Dominic had to sit with that.
The temporary order allowed only an exchange of information through the children’s attorneys.
Photos.
Medical history.
School information.
No calls yet.
No surprise visits.
No gifts delivered by men in black cars.
Dominic sent one letter to Iris through counsel.
The child’s therapist read it first.
It said:
I did not know about you. I am sorry that my life helped make adults afraid to tell me. You do not have to answer.
Marianne allowed Iris to hear it.
Iris asked:
“Is he scary?”
Marianne answered honestly.
“He can be.”
“Is he sorry?”
May you like
“I think he is starting to be.”
That was all anyone could safely say.
