Chapter 6 - DIANE FINALLY EXPLAINED WHY MIA’S CRYING MADE HER ANGRY
The child-safety case and assault case proceeded separately.
Diane’s conduct did not cause serious physical injury.
But footage mattered.
Multiple incidents.
Grabbing.
Pinching.
Rough handling.
Slapping me.
She faced assault/battery-related charges and child-endangerment-type allegations depending jurisdiction.
No attempted murder.
No absurd sentence.
Protective orders.
Mandatory assessment.
Supervised/no contact.
Then mediated statement months later.
I agreed only because I wanted answers.
Diane entered older somehow.
No perfect hair.
No jewelry.
She looked at me.
Then:
“I am sorry.”
I said nothing.
She continued.
“I grabbed Mia too hard.”
Specific.
“I pinched her leg.”
Specific.
“I slapped you.”
Specific.
Good.
Then:
“I told myself crying was manipulation.”
I stared.
“She was eight months old.”
“I know.”
“Did you know then?”
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.”
There.
She knew baby not scheming.
But emotionally she experienced crying as defiance.
Why?
Because when Ryan and Vanessa were babies, her husband worked constantly.
She handled alone.
Her mother told her:
“Don’t spoil them.”
Let cry.
Schedule.
Discipline.
She internalized.
Then my parenting triggered contempt.
I picked Mia up fast.
Contact napped.
Responded.
Diane thought I was weak.
Then:
“She cried more with me.”
Of course.
Because afraid.
Diane interpreted as Claire had made baby dependent.
Then she wanted prove she could “fix” Mia.
Hold bottle away.
Delay response.
Make her stop crying.
Not developmental care.
Control.
Then she said:
“When she screamed, I felt like she was rejecting me.”
Eight-month-old.
That was emotional immaturity.
Then I asked:
“Did you want to hurt her?”
“No.”
“Did you hurt her?”
“Yes.”
Good.
Then:
“Did you want my role?”
Diane cried.
“Yes.”
There.
Not replace completely.
But she wanted to be second mother with authority.
She resented that all access depended on me.
Then:
“And money?”
She looked embarrassed.
“I liked idea of being paid.”
Honest.
“Why?”
“Because Ryan’s father left more to kids than to me.”
Ah.
Her husband died leaving most in trusts.
She felt sidelined.
Vanessa told her Mia’s trust might compensate care.
Diane viewed as fairness.
Then:
“You thought my mother’s money owed you?”
“When you say it like that…”
“That is what it was.”
“Yes.”
There.
Then:
“Do you expect relationship with Mia?”
She whispered:
“I hope someday.”
I answered:
“That will not be your decision.”
She nodded.
Growth maybe.
Then:
“Do you expect forgiveness from me?”
“No.”
Better.
No hug.
May you like
No resolution.
Just truth.
