Chapter 12
Frank asked to see Leo.
I said the decision belonged to Leo.
My father almost laughed.
“He’s four.”
“Yes.”
“He cannot decide family relationships.”
“He can decide who he wants near him after being tied to a post.”
Frank’s face hardened.
“You’re teaching him disrespect.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“I’m teaching him his fear counts.”
Leo said no.
Frank took it badly.
Good.
Access had always been automatic for him.
Father.
Patriarch.
Grandfather.
He believed titles opened doors.
They did not anymore.
A month later, Leo said he wanted to see him for ten minutes.
Frank came without gifts.
Smart.
He sat across from Leo.
“I did something wrong.”
Leo stared.
“You tied me.”
“Yes.”
“You laughed.”
Frank swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
My father looked at me.
I gave him nothing.
Finally:
“Because I thought being scared was bad.”
Leo frowned.
“Everybody scared.”
Frank closed his eyes.
A four-year-old had just dismantled seventy years of family philosophy.
May you like
“Yes,” Frank whispered.
“Everybody is.”
