Chapter 13 - MICHAEL LOSES MORE THAN AN ARGUMENT
Rachel filed for separation.
Not immediate final divorce.
She wanted distance.
Michael asked:
“Because of Mom?”
Rachel said:
“Because you chose her judgment over Emma’s fear.”
He cried.
Rachel did not soften the answer.
Michael entered therapy.
Not performatively.
Slowly.
He admitted:
he had known Linda intended a severe haircut,
he had approved “something drastic,”
and when Linda texted him a photo afterward, he replied:
GOOD. MAYBE SHE’LL LEARN.
There it was.
Not misunderstanding.
Approval.
May you like
He had not held the clippers.
He had still participated.
