Chapter 6 - TESSA'S NOTEBOOK
Tessa kept a school notebook.
Purple cover.
Unicorn sticker.
Inside:
spelling words,
math problems,
drawings.
And dates.
Not because she was building evidence.
Because her teacher made students write one thing they did after school.
MONDAY — fed Miles banana.
TUESDAY — Mom went to help Uncle Jason.
THURSDAY — Miles cried a lot.
FRIDAY — watched Bluey with Miles until Dad came home.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Child specialist counted at least seventeen entries over three months suggesting Tessa had been alone or primary caregiver for significant periods.
Not every entry proved no adult was present.
But pattern.
Then one line:
Mom says don't tell Dad because he'll make Uncle Jason close.
Grant stopped reading.
Laura said:
“I never told her to lie.”
Tessa answered:
“You said Daddy worries too much.”
Silence.
That was how children get recruited.
Not always:
Lie to your father.
Sometimes:
Don’t upset him.
Don’t make trouble.
May you like
We’re helping family.
Tessa had learned silence as a job.
