Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.- Cherie Carter-Scott
CHAPTER #5
The following month was once again time for parental visitation. Chris was informed by Peter that her sister would not be able to attend. She was relieved by that news. Ezra's dad was coming, but not his mom. They were going to trade off visitation, so to be less stressful on their son. Ezra's parents were still battling it out with their divorce proceedings. Shelby's mother was unable to attend due to work issues, but Jess would come for a quick visit with their biological father. Both of Auggie's parents were coming up and told him they were bringing something for Juliette too. The fathers of David, Daisy and Scott, would also come to visit. Only Juliette had not been given word if her mother would come. As was the usual process, the whole campus was getting a super cleaning job, fixed up and some parts repainted. Signs made to welcome the parents, etc. There was an air of anxiety and excitement.
Both during their group session and their one on one sessions, they talked to Peter about how they felt about the visit and about their parents. Shelby was surprised that her biological father would be coming and pleased that he was escorting her sister on the visit also. She didn't remember much about him, since he'd divorced her mother when she was still very young and Jess was a baby. Child Services had advised him of the abuse, so he knew some of Shelby's story.
"I resent him in a way, because he dropped out of our lives and wasn't there to protect me from Walt. I hate my mother for knowing what was happening to me and to Jess, but not doing anything to stop it."
"Does your anger make you feel any better?" Peter asked.
"No, but it hides the pain. I don't know if I can forgive them for abandoning us when we needed them the most. When I needed them."
"Forgiveness is something we all need to face, but few of us achieve. I remember hating my Dad for a long time for giving up on me too. Frank became the father I always wished I had. But I realized my Dad did the best he could, eventually I forgave him. A little pain lingered after he was gone, but I remembered the good times I had with him. What about you Shelby, do you remember any good times with your mom and dad?"
"A few. When we did our solos, my mom had sent my ballet shoes from when I was a little girl. I can remember both my parents coming to my recital, to watch me dance. Everything prior to Walt, was like a normal family. But after they divorced, then mom remarried. Then things began to change. My mom may not have known about the abuse in the beginning, but she knew it before I ran away. I don't know if I will ever forgive her."
While they were discussing her feelings, Peter had a call transferred to his office. When he picked up the line, he understood why they hadn't heard from Juliette's mother. He took down the details and would call back. He finished his session with Shelby and asked her to send Juliette to his office.
"Juliette have a seat. I have some news to share with you. You're mother is in the hospital in critical condition. Her kidneys and liver have begun to shut down. Your stepfather reports that the doctor confirmed that it's a result of your mother not eating properly and starving herself for years. She abused her body. Your stepfather Hal, will come pick you up tomorrow and take you to see your mother."
"Okay," was Juliette's response. She didn't know how to feel.
"Do you want to talk about your mother?" Peter asked as he watched her emotions run across her face.
"No, I'm okay Peter. Thanks for letting me know."
He nodded and she left. Peter went to find Sophie and asked her to keep an eye on Juliette. He explained what had happened and he worried Juliette might start cutting herself again.
