Chapter 16 - Why Maya Was Cleaning
I had assumed the cleaning was punishment.
It was partly that.
But there was another reason.
Vanessa had scheduled a home evaluation for three o’clock the day I returned.
A private social-work consultant was supposed to inspect the residence.
Why?
Because Vanessa planned to claim I had become erratic after my medical episode.
Her supporting narrative said I had stopped maintaining the home.
Forgotten household responsibilities.
Created an unsafe environment for Maya.
So Vanessa had spent two days making the house immaculate.
And Maya had been forced to help.
The cruelty contained its own sick irony.
Vanessa was making my daughter exhaust herself to manufacture evidence that Vanessa was the responsible parent.
Maya’s fear about “the hospital men taking the house” had been a child’s distorted version of what Vanessa told her.
If Daddy looked sick, people could take things away.
So clean.
Stay quiet.
Cooperate.
May you like
My daughter had believed she was protecting me.
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