Chapter 11 - POPPY ASKED THE QUESTION NEITHER PARENT EXPECTED
Months passed.
The criminal and family cases moved slowly.
Serena faced serious consequences for her conduct, but no one promised Madeline a dramatic courtroom ending.
Preston’s role was examined separately.
He had not administered the substance himself.
But his messages, possession of the bottle, concealment afterward, and failure to tell medical staff were significant.
His attorney advised cooperation.
Preston followed that advice.
He also entered individual therapy.
Madeline did not applaud.
She had work of her own.
Poppy had become afraid of milk.
Not all drinks.
Milk.
Whenever someone poured it from a carton into a glass, she watched their hands.
Madeline noticed first.
Then Preston noticed during one of his visits.
He looked devastated.
Poppy asked him:
“Did you make Mommy sick?”
Preston’s face went completely still.
Madeline almost intervened.
The family therapist had prepared them for difficult questions.
Preston crouched.
“I helped make a bad situation happen.”
Poppy looked confused.
“Did you put the stuff in?”
“No.”
“Did you know?”
Preston swallowed.
“I knew Serena wanted Mommy to sleep. I should’ve stopped it.”
Poppy thought for several seconds.
Then:
“Why?”
There was no adult answer that improved when simplified.
“I was trying to make an argument go away.”
Poppy frowned.
“You could just say sorry.”
Preston closed his eyes.
Madeline looked away.
A four-year-old had identified the alternative three adults avoided.
Talk.
Fight.
Set a boundary.
Apologize.
Leave the room.
Do anything except secretly control another person.
Poppy hugged her rabbit.
“Are you going to make Mommy sleep again?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
Madeline watched Preston make that promise.
She believed he meant it.
May you like
That did not mean she trusted him.
Love and trust had become separate questions.
