Chapter 12 - Paige calls me
Paige called from treatment.
The program allowed scheduled phone use.
Her first words:
“You married her.”
I had no answer.
“You married Vivian.”
“Yes.”
“She always does this.”
“What does ‘this’ mean?”
“Decides fear is permission.”
That sentence stayed.
Paige told me childhood stories.
Vivian was not a monster sister.
Their mother, Diane, had severe anxiety and periods of depression.
Their father traveled.
Vivian, older by four years, became responsible early.
Packed lunches.
Checked homework.
Got Paige to school.
Protected her.
Then protection calcified.
At sixteen, Vivian read Paige’s diary because:
“You were acting strange.”
At eighteen, she called Paige’s college roommate to check whether she attended class.
At twenty-three, she contacted Paige’s boyfriend after an argument.
Always:
I’m helping.
Paige said:
“Vivian doesn’t know how to love somebody without managing the outcome.”
Then Paige admitted her own history.
Her opioid problem began after a back injury.
Prescription medication.
Then misuse.
Periods of sobriety.
Relapse after divorce.
She had frightened Nora once by falling asleep too deeply after taking pills.
That was why Paige voluntarily entered treatment.
“I knew I needed help.”
“Why not Vivian for placement?”
“Because she would use my worst month as proof I should never get Nora back.”
There.
“Was she right about Marlene?”
“No.”
“Any mistreatment?”
“No.”
“Did Nora want to stay with Vivian?”
“Nora loves her aunt.”
That was important.
Love.
Again.
Children can love adults who hurt them.
Adults can hurt children while believing they love them.
May you like
No clean categories.
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