Chapter 14 - The First Meal Noah Took Without Asking
It happened six months later.
Rocco was working from home.
Noah wandered into the kitchen in clean dinosaur pajamas.
Evelyn was putting groceries away.
A plate of apple slices sat on the counter.
Noah looked at them.
Then looked at Rocco.
Rocco deliberately said nothing.
Noah waited.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Can I—”
Then he stopped himself.
The therapist had been working on this.
Food in designated family spaces was available.
He did not have to earn it.
Noah looked at the apples again.
Slowly, he reached up.
Took one.
Then waited.
Nothing happened.
He took another.
Still nothing.
Then he smiled.
Not dramatically.
Just a small, surprised smile.
Rocco looked down at his laptop because he did not trust his face.
Evelyn pretended to be busy with the refrigerator.
Noah ate three apple slices.
Then ran away to play.
No one called him a thief.
No one counted.
No one threatened dinner.
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It was one of the best afternoons Rocco could remember.
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