Chapter 14 - THE MOVE
Paula accepted the Boston job.
But not immediately.
She and Andrew spent six weeks evaluating:
finances,
schools,
Andrew’s work,
Mia’s therapy,
support networks.
Then Andrew negotiated a transfer.
Not sacrifice.
Choice.
The court approved relocation after reviewing:
job benefits,
parent agreement,
Mia’s stability,
and Linda’s limited current contact.
Linda opposed.
Lost.
Not because grandmothers never matter.
Because fit parents generally decide where their family lives absent stronger legal grounds.
Therapeutic contact with Linda continued by video first.
Short calls.
Mia sometimes wanted them.
Sometimes did not.
Nobody forced performance.
Then one day Mia asked:
“Grandma coming Boston?”
Paula answered:
“Maybe to visit someday.”
“Sleep here?”
“No.”
Mia nodded.
Boundary.
Simple.
Andrew looked at Paula.
Years earlier, he would have added:
Don’t be harsh.
May you like
Now he said nothing.
Because clear did not mean cruel.
