Chapter Thirty-Four

Michael has been becoming more assertive and willing to risk conflict as the story progresses.  Having him call Dani on her fears was always part of the plan.  So was having her discover the truth about what happened in her childhood.

I think all adults are guilty of frightening silences to one degree or another.  We want to protect children and we forget how frightening events can be when they’re stripped of context.  Walter and Virginia had the most awful and traumatic night of their lives when she lost her connection to the Goddess and he lost the use of his legs.  They struggled for a long time to heal themselves and meanwhile, they left their children to figure things out on their own.  Kids are very inventive at figuring out reasons why they are to blame for bad things which happen.  Secrets take on their own weight and inertia if allowed to develop, making them harder to crack.