Chapter 4 - Lucy’s Christmas dinner
After leaving Vivian’s house, I took Lucy to a twenty-four-hour diner.
Christmas decorations everywhere.
Almost empty.
She ordered:
Grilled cheese.
Tomato soup.
French fries.
Chocolate milk.
She ate half the sandwich.
Most of the soup.
Three fries.
Then said:
“I’m full.”
A starving child?
No.
A frightened child who had been denied dinner for twenty minutes?
Yes.
I had:
Diner receipt.
Security footage from the restaurant if necessary.
Text to my friend sent at 8:46 p.m.:
Mom locked Lucy in room without dinner. We’re at Madison Diner. I’m done.
Did one meal prove I never deprived her?
Of course not.
Child welfare investigations examine patterns.
So I did not start behaving like the Christmas receipt solved everything.
Instead I called Lucy’s pediatrician.
Asked for her growth chart.
Requested appointment.
Then contacted an attorney.
Not to attack my mother.
To make sure I handled the allegation correctly.
Her name was Paige Morgan.
Family and education law.
She told me:
“Do not coach Lucy.”
“I won’t.”
“Do not ask her to repeatedly tell you what Grandma said.”
“I understand.”
“Do not start deleting family messages.”
“I won’t.”
“And do not call the school using threats.”
“I’m not stupid.”
Paige paused.
May you like
“Angry people become temporarily creative.”
Fair.
