Chapter 14 - The Ticket Was Only Ten Days
This became important in court and therapy.
Marjorie had not purchased a one-way flight.
Return:
Ten days later.
Montréal to Philadelphia.
So why did Vaughn say:
“She’s taking Ione abroad tonight”
with terror?
Because secret removal was still serious.
But later we learned Marjorie’s private goal was six weeks.
How?
Her planner.
A handwritten note:
Ask Fletcher after first ten days when Ione settles. Extend through Sept. 22 if Antoinette agrees.
Antoinette had not agreed.
September 22 would run into school.
Marjorie wrote:
Remote assignments possible.
She had no authority to decide.
Her method:
Get Ione to Canada first.
Then call me.
Present a fait accompli.
“She’s doing wonderfully. Don’t uproot her.”
She believed once Ione was physically there, I would avoid making scene.
That assumption came from experience.
Marjorie had spent years making decisions first.
Then explaining.
Holiday reservations.
Dinner guest lists.
Family photos.
Which cemetery plot Celeste would be offered? She had tried. I stopped that.
She mistook my past tolerance for transferable permission.
This was the largest version.
Ione would be in another country.
Still close.
Still reachable.
Still with relatives.
But physically moved before I could say no.
May you like
That crossed a line even Marjorie had not crossed before.
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