Chapter 9 - Dana Leaves the House
Dana did not divorce Garrett immediately.
She asked him to leave.
He rented an apartment.
Owen remained between parents.
No custody battle.
No screaming in front of him.
At least not intentionally.
Dana called me once.
“I hate Rowan.”
I stayed silent.
Then:
“I hate that I hate a dead woman.”
“You’re allowed.”
“She was separated too.”
“Yes.”
“Garrett and I were separated.”
“Yes.”
“So no one cheated.”
“Not exactly.”
“Then why does it feel like cheating?”
Because truth after reconciliation had been withheld.
Because Dana had rebuilt marriage without information she would have considered important.
Same as me.
Different choice.
She asked:
“Did Rowan ever hate me?”
“I don’t know.”
“I barely knew her.”
“Then probably not.”
Dana laughed through tears.
“Helpful.”
Then:
“Does Sorrel know?”
“No.”
“Owen?”
“No.”
“When?”
“Therapists. Later.”
She agreed.
We made one boundary together:
Neither child would learn from gossip.
That meant family silence needed a new purpose.
Not concealment forever.
Protection until age-appropriate disclosure.
Important difference.
Dana told Garrett:
“If your mother tells anyone else, I’m done.”
Apparently Eudora listened.
Fear can create boundaries when empathy fails.
Not ideal.
May you like
Still.
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