Chapter 9 - Juniper’s Version
Dr. Morris spoke to Juniper privately.
I received only what was appropriate.
No therapy transcript.
No surveillance.
That was difficult for me.
I wanted facts.
Dr. Morris said:
“Juniper believes Octavia liked Hadley more.”
“Why?”
“Because Hadley could make Octavia laugh.”
“That’s not evidence.”
“You asked what Juniper believes.”
Right.
Then:
“She also believes Octavia wanted her to become less important to you.”
My chest tightened.
“Did Octavia say that?”
“Not directly according to Juniper.”
“What did she say?”
“Juniper remembers Octavia saying, ‘When Dad and I are married, he won’t always drop everything because you pout.’”
I went still.
“When?”
“About two months ago.”
“What happened?”
“You had canceled a dinner because Juniper had a stomachache.”
I remembered.
School nurse sent her home.
Low fever.
Real.
Octavia was furious because the dinner involved her foundation board.
I stayed with Juniper.
Octavia went alone.
She later said:
“You could have left Molly with her.”
Maybe.
But I wanted to be home.
Did I have to?
No.
Was that Juniper’s fault?
No.
Octavia apparently told her:
“Dad cannot always choose you.”
That sentence was not inherently wrong in every context.
Parents have jobs.
Partners.
Other obligations.
But after Amelia’s death, Juniper heard something else.
Love can be reallocated.
Hadley then began saying:
“When they get married, you’re not the only girl.”
There.
Children absorb adult hierarchy and simplify it brutally.
Only girl.
First.
Second.
Choose.
Hadley had not invented the contest.
May you like
She had inherited its language.
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