Chapter 13 - ALYSSA REFUSES TO PICK A MOTHER
Alyssa asked to speak privately with the custody evaluator.
She brought screenshots.
Not of Rachel.
Of Melissa.
The messages were more direct than the group chat.
After Alyssa refused to sign the declaration:
Melissa:
I cannot believe you are protecting the woman who wants my place.
Alyssa:
She doesn’t.
Melissa:
Then why do you defend her?
Alyssa:
Because some of what Jason said isn’t true.
Melissa:
You’re fourteen. You don’t understand manipulation.
Alyssa:
Maybe neither do you.
Then:
Melissa:
If you choose their house, don’t expect me to pretend it doesn’t hurt.
Alyssa cried while showing the messages.
“I love my mom.”
The evaluator nodded.
“I believe you.”
“I love Rachel too.”
“Okay.”
“Is that bad?”
“No.”
Alyssa sobbed.
That was the whole case in one question.
Is it bad to love more than one mother figure?
Melissa had made affection scarce.
Rachel, in her own way, had made caretaking too loaded.
Now Alyssa needed permission for emotional abundance.
She got it.
When Rachel learned about the screenshots, she did not celebrate.
She called Alyssa.
“Your mother loves you.”
Alyssa cried.
“Why are you defending her?”
“I’m not defending what she did.”
“Then?”
“I don’t want this case to turn love into evidence.”
Alyssa was quiet.
Then whispered:
“Thank you.”
Rachel hung up and cried.
Daniel held her.
For the first time since the plane broke, they felt like partners again.
May you like
Not because the crisis was ending.
Because they were finally refusing the competition that created it.
