Chapter 17 - What Genevieve Told Winnie About Anna
This was the hardest part.
Not money.
Dr. Patel eventually learned Genevieve had told Winnie several things about Anna.
“Your mom didn’t like nice things because she wasn’t used to them.”
Class insult.
“She made Daddy feel guilty about money.”
Maybe adult interpretation.
“She wanted you to be normal, so stop acting special.”
Too much.
And once:
“Mommy can’t tell you what to wear anymore.”
That sentence made Winnie cry during therapy.
Why?
Because it transformed death into absence of protection.
Children know dead parents cannot intervene.
Adults should not weaponize that.
Genevieve later admitted saying it.
She claimed frustration during a clothing argument.
Still.
Winnie began asking me:
“Can Mommy see shoes?”
I answered:
“No, not like we can.”
“Does she know?”
Unknown.
I did not invent heaven mechanics.
“If you like remembering what Mom taught you, we can do that.”
“She liked Velcro.”
I laughed.
Anna hated tying toddler shoes.
“Yes.”
Winnie touched straps.
“These Mommy shoes?”
“No. They’re your shoes.”
Better.
May you like
Not every preference needs dead-parent endorsement.
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