Chapter 17- LILY’S INTERVIEW
Dr. Reeves spoke with Lily for forty-three minutes.
I counted every one of them.
Donna sat at the opposite end of the waiting room, dabbing her eyes with a tissue whenever someone passed. She had perfected the appearance of quiet suffering.
When Lily emerged, she looked exhausted but not frightened.
Dr. Reeves asked to meet with the attorneys before anyone left.
Her preliminary conclusion was simple.
Lily had not been coached.
She demonstrated age-appropriate language, consistent memory and a clear physical response when discussing Donna.
“She does not describe missing her grandmother,” Dr. Reeves said. “She describes fearing that contact will be forced upon her.”
Donna’s lawyer shifted in his chair.
“Children often absorb a custodial parent’s anxiety.”
Dr. Reeves nodded.
“They can. That is why I asked Lily to describe events without using emotional labels.”
She opened her notes.
“Lily stated that Donna stood in front of the door, took the keys from the table and told her mother to sit down. She recalled being unable to keep her eyes open and hearing her father say the food would be ruined.”
I remembered every second.
Dr. Reeves continued.
“Lily also said something I believe the court should hear directly.”
“What?” Donna asked.
Dr. Reeves looked at her.
“She said, ‘Grandma loves me when I do what she wants. Mom loves me when I say no.’”
Donna’s face hardened for half a second.
Then the tears returned.
Outside the building, Lily reached for my hand.
“Did I do okay?”
“You told the truth.”
She nodded.
Then she noticed Donna leaving through another door.
Donna was no longer crying.
She was speaking angrily into her phone.
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Three hours later, Lily’s school received an email claiming Donna had temporary authority to pick her up.
The attached court order was fake.
