Reviewer: Olo Signed [Report This]
Date: May 27 2016 6:44 AM Title: Chapter 50: Risk Management

Suzanne's reaction is less surprising than the logical conclusion of the long-term parenting that any parent of a "special needs" child would have to engage in.  What is more surprising is that both Suzanne and Erica have independently realized that Peter's safety is best served by bolstering his inner resources.  They see that hyper-awareness of how dangerous the world can be—something they previously thought was a necessary survival trait—is forcing Peter into a permanent flinch.  They recognize that there is an absolute limit to their ability to safeguard Peter physically, and that Peter needs to feel safe.  Whether it is developing his own physical resources (as Erica proposed) or simply taking ownership of the decision to attend school (as Suzanne admitted), a bit of bravado will be necessary for Peter to find his own path.

Unfortunately, I hope suspect Sharon is clever enough to make the same realization and exploit it.

Author's Response:

Yes, Erica and Suzanne are actually becoming a little more of the same mind on Peter's safety as this story progresses, though Suzanne is definitely the much more precarious of the two. And with every encounter, Sharon is gathering a little more information about how Peter and his power dynamics tick.