Leo was tied to a padded carnival post with a broad party ribbon while Olivia swung a wooden piñata bat dangerously close to his head.
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Chapter 16 / 17
Chapter 16
Leo returned to the backyard game area before his fifth birthday.
The padded post still stood there.
I considered removing it.
He stopped me.
“That’s piñata.”
I looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Can we use candy?”
I almost laughed.
“That is generally the idea.”
So we did.
No ribbons around children.
No audience waiting for failure.
The piñata hung from the proper line.
Leo wore a blindfold for exactly three seconds before ripping it off.
“I don’t like.”
“Then no blindfold.”
Olivia handed him the bat.
He swung.
Missed by two feet.
Everyone laughed.
Leo laughed too.
That mattered.
May you like
Laughter no longer meant adults enjoying his fear.
It belonged to him again.
