Chapter 11 - Sarah Admitted She Had Helped Turn Leo Into a Messenger
Sarah’s most painful apology was not to Marcus.
It was to Leo.
Not immediately.
Dr. Hannah Price helped decide:
when.
Leo had stopped asking about:
the company.
Good.
Children should not know:
redemption values.
He did keep asking:
“Why did Mom put the thing in Teddy?”
Sarah answered differently each time until Hannah stopped her.
“Give him one consistent truthful answer.”
So Sarah did.
“Mom was worried some grown-up papers would get lost.”
Leo nodded.
“She asked me to help keep them safe.”
“She should have asked another adult.”
Leo looked at her.
“Why didn’t she?”
“Because Mom was scared.”
“Were you scared?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know?”
“Some of it.”
“Did you tell her Teddy was okay?”
Sarah swallowed.
“Yes.”
Leo stared.
“Then you did it too.”
Children are efficient.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
He looked down at the bear.
Then:
“Mom still loved me?”
Sarah’s heart nearly broke.
“More than anything.”
“Even if she made a bad choice?”
“Yes.”
Leo thought.
“Dad loves me even when he makes bad choices?”
Sarah looked toward Marcus across the room.
“Yes.”
Marcus’s eyes filled.
That was the family’s most important lesson.
Bad choices did not need:
love erased
to be called bad.
Then Leo asked:
“Do I ever have to keep adult secrets again?”
Marcus answered first.
“No.”
Sarah:
“No.”
Cole:
“Absolutely not.”
Leo looked satisfied.
Then:
“What about Christmas presents?”
Cole smiled.
“Limited exception.”
Leo laughed.
May you like
The room exhaled.
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