Chapter 6 - Meadow’s Choice
The judge did not require Meadow to testify in the open courtroom.
A child advocate named Laura Kim met with her in a private interview room. The room had soft chairs, colored pencils, books, and no raised bench.
Bethany waited outside.
When Meadow returned, she looked tired but calmer.
“Did I say it right?” she asked.
“There was no wrong way to tell the truth,” Bethany said.
Laura later submitted a report recommending that Meadow’s wishes be considered in any future visitation plan.
The report stated that Meadow did not want to see Evelyn. She was also afraid to be alone with Dustin because he had helped prevent her from moving away.
However, Meadow did not say she never wanted to see her father again.
She wanted him to understand what he had done.
When Renee explained this to Bethany, her first reaction was fear.
“What if he manipulates her?”
“Any contact would be supervised,” Renee said. “The court may also require counseling.”
Bethany looked through the glass panel of the waiting room. Meadow was drawing a picture of herself with long hair on one side and short hair on the other.
“I want her to be safe.”
“I know.”
“I also don’t want her to grow up believing love means accepting anything someone does to you.”
“Then let her learn that forgiveness, if it ever comes, must follow accountability. It cannot replace it.”
That weekend, Bethany took Meadow to a salon recommended by the school counselor.
The stylist, Nora, placed the scissors on the counter before touching Meadow’s hair.
“I won’t cut anything unless you say yes,” she promised.
Meadow looked at Bethany.
“It’s your choice,” Bethany said.
For twenty minutes, Nora carefully shaped the uneven sections into a neat bob. Before every cut, she explained what she planned to do.
When she finished, Meadow looked into the mirror.
“It looks like I chose it.”
“You did,” Nora replied.
May you like
Meadow smiled.
It was the first time she had smiled at her reflection since the Sunday visit.
