Chapter 6 - The Jealousy Started Years EarlierMom told me Kendra's resentment had begun when Rose was fourteen.
That was the year Rose won a statewide science competition.
Max had been struggling academically at the same time, and Kendra had interpreted every compliment Rose received as criticism of her son.
At Thanksgiving, she mocked Rose's scholarship ambitions.
At Christmas, she “accidentally” misplaced an application packet Rose had brought to Grandma's house.
Mom had dismissed both incidents.
Family tension, she called it.
Now she understood that dismissal had consequences.
I asked why she had never told me.
Her answer was painfully simple.
“I wanted everyone to get along.”
Peace, I realized, can become another word for protecting the person causing harm.
Mom cried.
I didn't comfort her.
Not yet.
Apologies mattered.
But accountability had to come first.
That afternoon, I collected Rose's passport and arranged secure delivery through the appropriate channels to Darius.
Then I changed my own flight.
The vacation was over.
I wanted my daughter home.
Before leaving the resort, I received another call.
Dad.
He demanded I restore their return tickets.
I refused.
“We don't have enough available credit.”
“That sounds like something you should solve.”
“Monica, I'm your father.”
“And Rose is my daughter.”
Silence.
Then he said the sentence that ended our conversation.
“You always choose her.”
“Yes.”
I didn't hesitate.
“When she's endangered by adults who should protect her, I absolutely choose her.”
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Then I hung up.
For once, Dad had no final word.
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