Chapter 19 - JUNE’S BIRTHDAY PARTYJune turned six at a small garden party.
Nadia insisted small.
Eight children.
Balloons.
Cake.
No media.
Foxmere not venue.
They held at Nadia and Wesley’s Haverford home? They had been separated. Maybe neutral Elise? By now Nadia back in their own house and Wesley visiting? Let's say Nadia returned to marital home, Wesley still apartment while therapy.
Priscilla invited with conditions.
She arrived carrying one gift.
Not diamonds.
Not heirloom.
A watercolor set June asked.
Good.
June hugged.
Priscilla cried but controlled.
Wesley came early.
He and Nadia decorated together.
They looked almost couple.
Not yet.
At cake, June said:
“Daddy stand here.”
He did.
Priscilla watched.
No bloodline panic.
After guests left, June opened family-photo album.
She found baby ultrasound.
Clinic photo of Nadia, Wesley, Kline in background? Perhaps.
“Who’s that doctor?”
Nadia and Wesley looked.
They had agreed.
“Dr. Kline helped at clinic when we were trying have you.”
“Is he bad doctor?”
Wesley:
“He made some bad choices.”
“Did he hurt me?”
“No.”
Nadia:
“You are safe.”
“Did he hurt you?”
Nadia paused.
“He did something without asking me and Daddy.”
June frowned.
“That’s bad.”
“Yes.”
“Did Grandma?”
Silence.
Why would she ask? Maybe overheard adults.
Nadia looked at Priscilla? She wasn't in room maybe.
“Grandma made a grown-up mistake too.”
“Did she say sorry?”
“Yes.”
June nodded.
“Then why still mad?”
Children ask.
Nadia:
“Sometimes sorry is beginning, not ending.”
June accepted.
This phrase could be central.
She returned photos.
Later Priscilla found Nadia alone.
“She asked?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell?”
“Age-appropriate.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me for not humiliating you to child.”
Priscilla flinched.
“Fair.”
They looked garden.
Priscilla said:
“I don’t want June someday think I wanted different child.”
Nadia:
“Then tell truth when appropriate: you wanted control, not different June.”
“And you were wrong.”
“Yes.”
“You can love her and have violated us.”
Priscilla cried.
“I know.”
June ran outside with watercolor.
“Grandma, paint fox!”
Priscilla went.
Nadia watched.
No need exile to prove justice.
Boundaries.
Accountability.
Relationship can continue cautiously.
At end party, Wesley helped clean.
Nadia said:
“You can stay.”
He looked.
“For dinner?”
“Yes.”
Small.
They ate leftovers after June slept.
No scandal talk first hour.
Then Wesley said:
“I miss home.”
Nadia:
“I miss you too.”
“Can I come back?”
“Not yet.”
He nodded.
No pressure.
Progress.
The birthday party did not explode with revelation.
That was point.
May you like
June’s life continued.
Adults were learning not to let mystery consume child.
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