My Mother Locked My Six-Year-Old Away Without Christmas Dinner—Then Reported Me for Starving My Own Child
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Chapter 22 / 27
Chapter 22 - The one thing Vivian said that was true
Mediation lasted four sessions.
During the third, Vivian said:
“You like being the strong one.”
I started to object.
Then stopped.
She was right.
I did.
I liked being:
Competent.
Financially secure.
Needed.
The daughter who fixed things.
Mortgage problem?
I paid.
Medical paperwork?
I handled.
Christmas logistics?
I organized.
Caroline panicked?
I decided.
Vivian depended on me financially.
Then resented me for the power that dependence created.
I depended on being useful.
Then resented everyone for expecting it.
Two unhealthy systems can coexist.
May you like
That realization did not excuse the report.
It did explain how we reached the point where stopping one automatic transfer felt like declaring war.
