After years of waiting, we finally adopted Jennifer, who is four years old. Her coming brought a lot of happiness, but it also brought some surprising problems. After a month, she said in a whisper, “Mommy, don’t trust Daddy,” which made me nervous.
To begin with, Richard seemed ideal—caring and loving. But Jennifer’s words stuck with me and made me question. During our trip to get ice cream, she stuck to me and barely spoke to Richard.
That evening, she warned him again, pointing out his “strange” behaviour. I comforted her because I didn’t know what to think about her worries.
I heard Richard’s tense phone call the next day: “It’s harder than expected…” She can see things… “I could tell Marla.” My heart was beating fast. What was he keeping from me?
I confronted Richard and asked him to explain. After denying it at first, he finally admitted: he and his brother had planned a surprise birthday party for Jennifer.
I told him I was sorry, feeling relieved but guilty for not trusting him. Richard got it, admitting that change is hard.
Jennifer started to trust Richard as things got calmer. Scenes at breakfast changed; wary looks were replaced by smiles and laughing.
We learnt that trust problems can be solved with love, patience, and open communication. Jennifer’s heart used to be guarded, but now it grows in our loving surroundings.
