Chapter 17 - RACHEL TAKES TYLER HOME
Nine months after the slap, Tyler moved in with Rachel.
Not suddenly.
Not permanently at first.
Three nights.
Then five.
Then school weeks.
Rachel moved into an apartment inside our district so Tyler could remain at the same school.
Michael and I helped with furniture.
Not because she needed charity.
Because Tyler needed adults who could cooperate.
On moving day, Sarah sent him a package.
The evaluator approved it.
Inside was a baseball glove.
A card.
No guilt.
No mention of money.
Just.
I love you.
I am sorry I made you feel responsible for keeping me happy.
Tyler read it twice.
Then placed it in a drawer.
“Do you want to call her?”
Rachel asked.
“Not today.”
“Okay.”
No pressure.
That was new for him.
Before leaving our house, Tyler stood in Olivia’s room.
She was almost three now.
She handed him her stuffed bear.
He laughed.
“That’s yours.”
“For Tyler.”
She insisted.
He looked at me.
“What do I do?”
“Take it.”
He hugged the bear.
Olivia hugged his leg.
“I come back?”
He asked her.
She nodded seriously.
“Pizza.”
He laughed.
“Yes.”
“Pizza.”
When Rachel’s car pulled away, I cried.
Michael did too.
Not because Tyler was being taken.
May you like
Because he was finally leaving without being made to feel guilty.
That was freedom.
