Chapter 16
Theo saw Sabine again almost two years later.
Because he asked.
He was five.
We were staying at the mountain hotel again.
He remembered more than I expected.
“The bell lady.”
Not ideal.
Accurate.
He asked:
“Is she still bad?”
Hard question.
“People aren’t only one thing.”
He frowned.
“Did she still do bad?”
“Yes.”
“Did she stop?”
“Yes.”
“Can see?”
I thought.
Then:
“If you want.”
Meeting in the winter garden.
Daylight.
Rafe nearby.
Leah present.
Sabine arrived with no gift.
Good.
Theo stood beside me.
She crouched but did not move closer.
“Hi, Theo.”
He stared.
Then:
“You poured water.”
“Yes.”
“You ring bell.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Her eyes filled.
“Because I was scared you knew something and I made a terrible choice.”
Theo thought.
Then:
“I was sleepy.”
That sentence destroyed her.
“I know.”
“Very sleepy.”
“I know.”
He looked at me.
Then back at her.
“Don’t do kids.”
Sabine cried.
“I won’t.”
He nodded.
That was the meeting.
No hug.
No forgiveness ceremony.
May you like
Ten minutes later he wanted hot chocolate.
Children protect scale when adults let them.
