Chapter 11
Olivia apologized to Leo.
Not because I ordered it.
I refused to.
Damon asked her if she wanted to.
She did.
They met in the garden with me nearby.
No Frank.
Olivia sat on the grass because Leo would not sit at the picnic table yet.
“I’m sorry I swung the bat.”
Leo looked at her.
“You said oops.”
Her face crumpled.
“I lied.”
Good.
Children deserve specific apologies.
“I was trying to make Grandpa think I was brave.”
Leo thought about that.
“Were you scared?”
Olivia started crying.
“Yes.”
He looked genuinely surprised.
She had performed so well that even he believed she was fearless.
Then Leo said:
“Me too.”
Two words.
The competition disappeared.
Neither child was weak.
Both were afraid.
Only one had been allowed to admit it.
Olivia wiped her face.
“I don’t want your ring.”
Leo frowned.
“What ring?”
Perfect.
The symbol adults fought over meant almost nothing to him.
I smiled despite myself.
“Good question.”
May you like
Olivia laughed through tears.
And for the first time since the birthday, they looked like cousins again instead of candidates.
