Chapter 20 - Patricia and Naomi
Patricia and Naomi eventually developed cautious relationship.
Not mother-daughter fantasy.
Boundaries.
Patricia asked before visits.
No unsolicited financial decisions.
No criticizing parenting.
Sometimes failed.
Naomi corrected.
Patricia apologized.
Once Patricia bought Emma expensive private-school application package without asking.
Naomi returned.
Patricia felt insulted.
Then stopped herself.
“You’re right.”
Progress not perfection.
Then Naomi asked:
“Why does money always arrive before question?”
Patricia thought.
“Because in my family money was how adults avoided hearing no.”
Powerful.
She changed.
Instead:
“Would you like help?”
Naomi could say no.
That was intimacy of respect.
Then Ethan and Naomi decided to marry? Maybe later. Need be careful not immersive. Could be part. Maybe chapter 24. For now, they had reconciled gradually and lived together? We can say after years, they chose to build relationship again and eventually moved in, with co-parenting already stable. No rush.
They did not make Emma reason.
May you like
Good.
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