Chapter 13
Lucy saw Andrew after twelve days.
Her choice.
I asked once.
She said no.
I waited.
Three days later, she asked:
“Dad sad?”
“Yes.”
“Because me?”
“No.”
Important.
“Because himself.”
She thought about that.
Then asked to see him.
Ten minutes.
I stayed.
Andrew entered without trying to hug her.
Good.
Lucy wore a soft cap now because she liked it.
Not because anyone told her to hide.
Andrew looked at her head and immediately looked away.
She noticed.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“Why say good?”
He froze.
No adult sentence could save him.
“Because I was scared to tell Grandma no.”
Lucy frowned.
“You’re big.”
I almost laughed.
Andrew almost cried.
“Yes.”
“Then why scared?”
He swallowed.
“Because I learned to be scared of her when I was little.”
Lucy thought about that.
Then:
“You should tell Mommy.”
Simple.
Andrew looked at me.
I said nothing.
He returned his eyes to Lucy.
“You’re right.”
She touched her cap.
“Hair grows?”
“Yes.”
“Grandma hair too?”
Despite everything, I laughed.
Andrew did too.
“Yes.”
Lucy smiled faintly.
Then her face became serious.
“Don’t say good again.”
“I won’t.”
No hug.
She returned to coloring.
Andrew stayed seated quietly.
That was all he got.
Enough for one day.
May you like
Trust does not return because adults finally understand themselves.
Children decide on their own schedule.
