Chapter 4 - THE SIX YEARS SARAH MISSED
Sarah’s custody petition described her absence carefully.
“Period of instability.”
“Interrupted contact.”
“Personal recovery.”
All technically true.
Incomplete.
Rachel had saved the history.
Texts.
SARAH:
I can’t do this right now.
BEN:
Lily sick. Call?
No response.
BEN:
She say mommy.
No response.
BEN:
Birthday Saturday. Come if want.
No response.
Months.
Then years.
Sarah sent three cards in six years.
One arrived late.
One had no return address.
One contained fifty dollars.
Ben kept all three.
Not because he loved Sarah.
Because Lily might want them later.
Then school records.
Emergency contacts:
Ben.
Rachel.
Neighbor Mrs. Alvarez.
Doctor visits:
Ben present.
Parent conferences:
Ben.
IEP? Lily did not have one. No need.
Reading nights.
Dental appointments.
Flu shots.
Dance recital.
Science fair.
Ben.
Sarah’s attorney argued physical presence was not the only measure of parenting.
True.
Then Rachel asked:
“What measure would you prefer?”
Silence.
Sarah said:
“I was sick.”
That was new.
Not physically.
Depression.
Substance misuse after Lily’s birth.
Important.
Real.
Sarah had entered treatment.
Moved states.
Rebuilt her life.
Her absence had context.
Ben listened.
Then said:
“You could be sick and still hurt Lily.”
That sentence surprised everyone.
Sarah stared.
Ben continued slowly.
“I can understand why.”
Pause.
May you like
“And still not say it was okay.”
That was one of the clearest things he ever said in court preparation.
