Chapter 16
Nick left for Ohio in June.
Thomas pretended he was fine.
He was not.
At the airport, Nick hugged Teresa first.
Then me.
“You don’t owe me,” he muttered.
“I know.”
“You helped anyway.”
“Yes.”
He nodded like that was acceptable.
Then Thomas hugged him.
Hard.
“You better call.”
“You better answer.”
“I always answer.”
Nick pulled back.
“People say always too much.”
Thomas held out his hand.
“Then every Friday. Seven.”
Nick shook it.
“Every Friday.”
Teresa hugged me.
“Thank you for making him believe adults can show up.”
I looked at Nick.
“He made us remember we should.”
After they left, Thomas cried in the car.
I did not tell him to be strong.
I did not tell him boys don’t cry.
I drove to the beach, bought fries, and let him cry into my shoulder.
Therapy became part of our week.
For both of us.
Thomas learned fear was not disobedience.
I learned guilt was not parenting.
Marianne moved away from Richard and began rebuilding contact with Elaine.
She asked once to see Thomas.
I asked him.
He said yes.
She brought Caleb’s old baseball glove.
“Your uncle was brave,” she told him.
Thomas held the glove carefully.
“So was Nick.”
May you like
Marianne smiled sadly.
“Yes. Sometimes brave boys find each other.”
