Chapter 15 - The caseworker limitation Vivian ignored
There was a fact I had not known.
Two weeks before taking Nora, Vivian’s visits had been temporarily restricted again.
Why?
Not for violence.
For coaching.
During a routine check-in, Nora told her caseworker:
“Aunt Vivian says I should tell judge I hate Marlene.”
The caseworker asked Vivian about it.
Vivian said:
“I am encouraging Nora to express preferences.”
The agency said:
Do not discuss placement litigation with the child.
Visits remained but with clearer restrictions.
Vivian considered that insulting.
Her message to Paige:
They think they can tell me what I can discuss with my own niece.
Paige replied:
She is my daughter.
Vivian:
And you gave her to strangers.
Paige:
Marlene is our cousin.
Vivian:
You know what I mean.
There.
Family, to Vivian, did not mean legal or biological relation alone.
It meant hierarchy.
Immediate family above extended.
Vivian above Paige because Paige was:
unstable.
Her judgment above caseworkers because she knew Nora.
Her home above the Ellises because ours was better.
Bigger.
Safer neighborhood.
More money.
All technically advantages.
None gave her authority to take a child.
That distinction frustrated her enough that she decided the system itself was wrong.
Then she acted as if disagreement with a system canceled its power.
May you like
That was where law entered.
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