And it felt like the beginning of my life returning to me.
Two days later, my husband called from custody through the permitted phone system.
I almost ignored the call.
But I wanted to hear what he would say when he could no longer intimidate me in person.
I answered.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he sighed dramatically.
“Finally. I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to stop making this worse.”
I closed my eyes.
Even now, he spoke as if I were the problem.
“Our daughter is in the hospital,” I said. “My father has a serious head injury. What exactly do you think I’m making worse?”
“You know I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“You picked up a hammer.”
“She wouldn’t listen.”
“She is seven years old.”
“She needs structure!”
“She needed you to stop.”
