Clara was four when she asked:

“Why doesn't my mommy live with us?”

Adrian had prepared.

Still difficult.

“Your mom made some unsafe choices when you were a baby.”

“Did she hurt me?”

“No.”

“Did she hurt Maisie?”

“She scared her and treated her in ways adults should not treat children.”

Clara frowned.

“Is Mommy bad?”

Adrian thought.

“She did bad things.”

“Can people change?”

“Yes.”

“Did she?”

“I think she is trying.”

Clara looked toward Maisie.

Maisie was nine now.

Drawing at the kitchen table.

Clara asked:

“Does Maisie hate her?”

Adrian answered:

“That belongs to Maisie.”

Later Clara asked Maisie directly.

Maisie said:

“Sometimes.”

Then:

“Mostly I don't think about her.”

That was perhaps the healthiest answer.

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