Chapter 15
Ruby needed a crib.
That simple fact became strangely difficult.
Dad offered to have one delivered within an hour.
I said no.
He frowned.
“Bianca, she needs somewhere to sleep.”
“I know.”
“What are you doing?”
I looked at the salvaged pieces from the original crib.
Most were intact.
One side shattered.
One panel scratched.
The mattress untouched.
“I’m rebuilding it.”
Dad stared.
“You?”
“With help.”
Important distinction.
I did not need to prove independence by becoming a carpenter overnight.
Thomas found the craftsman who originally built it.
He came the next morning.
We spread the pieces across the nursery floor.
The broad panel I had used against Logan was structurally sound.
I ran my hand across the dent where it hit the door.
The craftsman asked:
“Replace it?”
I thought about it.
“No.”
Dad looked at me.
“Why?”
“Because it protected me after he tried to use it against me.”
That was enough.
We repaired the crib.
New side rail.
Reinforced joints.
Same white finish.
Not identical.
Better.
When we placed Ruby inside, she opened her eyes for three seconds, yawned, then went back to sleep.
Entire family war.
Her review: boring.
Perfect.
Dad stood beside me.
“Your mother would’ve liked that.”
“The crib?”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“Keeping the damaged panel.”
I smiled faintly.
Mom hated waste.
Especially emotional waste.
I touched the emerald necklace at my throat.
I had started wearing it again.
Not every day.
Only when I wanted to.
Choice restored objects faster than hiding them.
Dad looked toward Ruby.
“What do you want for her?”
The question sounded bigger than it needed to be.
So I made it smaller.
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“To sleep four hours.”
He laughed.
First real laugh in days.
That was healing too.
May you like
Not destiny.
Rest.
