Question E

[Jonetta]

Paula Wallace repeatedly asserts that Tommy Wallace is responsible for Ivy’s death even though there’s no evidence to support that claim and she has no proof herself. She’s used that theory to prevent him from seeing his half sister. Why was Paula so determined to keep Tommy away from Bella?

[Anita]

She was hung up on the fact that Tommy wasn't quite normal. She may have really believed that he was looking at Ivy "funny". I don't know, but it was really cruel how she tried to cut Tommy from their lives.

[Sharon]

In my opinion, Paula saw Tommy as imperfect, which ruins the image she wants her friends and neighbors to have of her children, home, and family. I don't believe she every thought that Tommy looked at Ivy funny. It was a good excuse as Paula didn't want him in her house. Her actions towards Tommy were horrible and unkind. Like mother, like daughter.

[Jonetta]

I agree that Paula felt Tommy didn’t fit into her perfect world. What she did was viscous but I’m saving my venom for Bill. How dare he allow his child to be banned from his home without any evidence that action was justified? This was his son! Tommy needed him to stand up for him. What a joke for a man, let alone a father.

[Sharon]

Jonetta wrote: "I agree that Paula felt Tommy didn’t fit into her perfect world. What she did was viscous but I’m saving my venom for Bill. How dare he allow his child to be banned from his home without any eviden..."

You are so right. The problem is I don't think Bill was home enough to even realize what Paula was doing to Tommy.

[Charlene]

Sharon, I agree with you about Paula's motives to protect her idea of the perfect family. As others have mentioned, she was not the only adult who failed their child(ren) in this story.

[Robin]

I agree that Paula didn't want Tommy around because of the image she cultivated with her friends and neighbors.

Bill was never around. I wasn't even sure if he knew that Tommy had been banned from the house. What kind of father would allow that?

[Jonetta]

I asked that same question, Robin.

[Sharon]

Bill will never be a committed parent. Honestly, I don't think he knows how to love.

[Jonetta]

Just himself.

[Melissa]

That's a good question. I think she just wanted his other family out of her life forever. She had an appearance to keep up and Tommy did not fit into it.