Chapter 18 - MARK’S DIVORCE
Mark and Vanessa’s divorce became ugly.
Custody.
Money.
Accusations.
Sophie was fifteen and furious at both of them.
Vanessa still blamed Emily.
Then during mediation, Sophie reportedly said.
“Stop using Aunt Emily as an excuse for everything you did.”
Mark told me later.
“She sounded like you.”
“Poor kid.”
He laughed.
The divorce forced Mark to confront his own habits.
He had spent years avoiding conflict.
Vanessa filled every silence.
He called that peace.
I called it familiar.
One night, Mark asked.
“Do you think Mom made us like this?”
I thought.
“Partly.”
“And Dad?”
“Probably.”
“And us?”
He nodded.
“Yeah.”
That was the part adults hate.
At some point childhood explains you.
Then adulthood makes you responsible for what you do with the explanation.
Mark began individual therapy.
He got a small apartment.
Learned how to cook four meals.
Three badly.
Sophie split time according to the court arrangement and her preferences.
Vanessa remained difficult.
But she lost one thing.
The entire family no longer rearranged itself around avoiding her anger.
May you like
People stopped negotiating with the storm.
Sometimes the storm moved somewhere else.
