The Names

by Florence Knapp

Isn’t she just teaching her daughter that keeping the peace is more important than doing what’s right?

It can be fight, flight, freeze…also fawn. That’s the fourth response.

“I know the consequences are personal. But the act itself wasn’t. It’ll eat away at you to think like that.”

“Rationalize it. I know all that, but it doesn’t change how I feel.”

“Sorry. Maia’s always saying that’s something men do too. I can see it’s annoying, though.”

Afterward, she told him sky father was a tribute to him. I even made these little moon and star decorations to go around his plate at dinner. But it wasn’t a tribute. It was her way of saying you’d never be like him. That you’d rise above him.”