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Chapter 7 - Adrian’s Failure

Adrian wanted to turn Julian and Seraphine into monsters.

His therapist refused to let him use that as escape.

“What did you miss?”

Adrian hated the question.

“Seraphine lied.”

“What did you miss?”

He traveled eleven days the month Ava was born.

Six days the month before.

He relied on Seraphine to coordinate Milo’s therapists, though Claire had once done it with him jointly.

He stopped attending school planning meetings.

He assumed no news meant everything fine.

Milo told him:

“Sera says I scare baby.”

Adrian laughed.

“You’re the gentlest guy I know.”

He thought reassurance was enough.

He did not ask why Seraphine said it.

Another time Milo asked:

“Daddy, I go away school?”

Adrian said:

“Someday you’ll go to college if you want.”

Milo shook his head.

“No. Sleep school.”

Adrian was packing for flight.

He kissed him.

“We’ll talk when I get back.”

They never did.

The doghouse happened on the day he returned.

Adrian cried in therapist’s office.

“I left him alone in his own warning.”

The therapist answered:

“You failed to follow up. That is real. Do not convert that into believing you locked the door.”

Specific responsibility.

May you like

Not endless guilt.

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