Chapter 4 - LYDIA’S DIRECTIVE
Alexander took us into his private study.
Alexander stopped me. “You found the intake form. Stay.”
She opened a locked cabinet behind his father’s old desk and removed a blue folder.
“Lydia was sick,” she said. “She knew there might come a day when you were unavailable.”
Alexander opened the document. I watched his face change line by line.
The directive named Eleanor temporary medical guardian if Alexander became unavailable for more than seventy-two hours during a crisis.
Guardian may approve emergency therapeutic care when necessary to protect the child.
Alexander looked up. “This is for emergencies.”
“Emotional collapse is an emergency.”
“He ate pancakes this morning.”
“He called a maid Mommy tonight.”
I could not stay quiet. “Please don’t say it like he did something wrong.”
Eleanor turned slowly. “You are in this room because my son has temporarily forgotten the difference between loyalty and impulse.”
Alexander’s voice cut through hers. “Stop.”
Alexander knelt. “You did nothing wrong.”
“Grandma’s mad.”
“That is Grandma’s problem.”
Alexander asked, “Did Lydia ever discuss St. Alden?”
“No.”
“Then why that school?”
“Because they specialize in attachment disorders.”
Alexander lifted him. The movement looked unfamiliar. Not wrong. Just underused.
Noah hesitated before resting against his father. That hurt to watch.
Alexander looked at me over Noah’s head. “How often does he wake at night?”
“Three or four times a week.”
His eyes closed. “How long?”
“Sometimes ten minutes. Sometimes two hours.”
“And you stay?”
“Yes.”
“Why wasn’t I told?”
“Because your mother told staff not to disturb you overseas unless it was medical.”
May you like
Alexander looked at Eleanor. She did not deny it.
If anyone uses this directive to separate Noah from the person who makes him feel safe, they have misunderstood everything I wanted.
