Chapter 6 - The Art of Belonging
With the legal ties to his parents officially severed and their impending move to Arizona guaranteeing physical distance, Greg threw himself into his work and our family life with renewed vigor.
June, meanwhile, was thriving in school. Now seven and a half, she had grown more confident, shedding the quiet timidity that Janet’s micro-aggressions had once forced upon her. Her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Gable, pulled me aside during parent-teacher conferences in early October to share some wonderful news.
"June has completely come out of her shell this semester," Mrs. Gable smiled, flipping through a portfolio of artwork. "She volunteered to lead her group project for the school science fair, and her creative writing pieces are full of imagination and confidence. She knows her voice matters."
My heart swelled with pride. I thanked Mrs. Gable and thought of the dark, cramped pantry study where Janet had tried to banish our daughter just a few months ago. The contrast was staggering. Cruelty tries to bury children, but genuine love gives them roots and wings.
That evening, I shared Mrs. Gable’s feedback with Greg over dinner. He beamed with pride, reaching across the table to squeeze June’s hand.
"That’s my girl," Greg said, kissing the top of her head. "Always remember, June-bug, you can take up as much space in this world as you want."
Amber and Mason, who had been teasing each other about high school sports schedules across the table, chimed in.
"Yeah, June," Mason grinned, tossing a bread roll gently toward her plate. "And if anyone ever tries to tell you otherwise, you just let us know. Me and Amber will handle them."
"We definitely will," Amber agreed, laughing.
May you like
June giggled, catching the bread roll with both hands. "Thanks, guys. But I think Daddy and Mom have it covered."
We all laughed, the dining room ringing with the kind of effortless, unscripted joy that money can’t buy and toxic family politics can never manufacture.
