Take Responsibility

After the mass and reception for Matteo's memorial we followed Flora and her family home. There we were with the inner core of Flora's friends, the people who knew her, Matteo and Gill. Flora spoke about Matteo and told some funny stories and we looked at photos of a party of when she came to visit with Matteo. At the house there were two very good friends of Flora. We were sure we had never met, but Flora showed photos of us all at the same party. I really felt bad that we spent so much time going over the story of Matteo's death. There was no peace in that house, everyone was incensed. All the things Cindy, Kevin and I had notice about Gill's attitude and actions were also noted by everyone else. And what was more scary were the stories everyone had about how many other poor choices Gill had made over the years; no child car seat, leaving him alone on a high balcony, throwing him so high when he was a baby...it was tragic to hear.

With inheritance from his rich father Gill had employed a lawyer in an attempt to get sole custody of Matteo. He had disagreed with every decision Flora had for Matteo. Everything had to be decided in front of a judge. Thousands of dollars have been spent having a judge make the overall decision. One thing in particular Gill disagreed about was the choice to have Matteo attend a Catholic school. Recently Gill had joined a Spiritual Life church and we presume he was planning to establish himself as a more spiritual person than Flora so Matteo could be placed in a non-Catholic school. I believe the sole reason was to hurt Flora and gain control over her. At the mass Gill took communion - I was sickened.

There were several people at Flora's house who urged her to pursue charges against Gill. There was even talk about a restraining order, I lost the thread of that reasoning, but since it was suggested by people who work with her, I can only presume they have heard more "Gill" stories than me. At that time Flora was very reluctant, she said that the only good thing to come out of Matteo's death was that she wouldn't have to deal with Gill anymore - she was so tired of him, his controlling and manipulative ways. I can't say I blame her, but we all encouraged her not to give up and do it for the sake of Matteo and any other child Gill may have charge of in the future. Kevin and I left Flora's later in the evening and drank a couple of bottles of wine between us - I think we needed the Scottish/Irish method for grieving by then. Cindy stayed behind and we heard that Flora started going through Matteo's clothes. As expected she was very upset. My concern after hearing that was she was moving too fast.