Chapter 12
Mason apologized six months later.
Caleb finally agreed to hear him.
They sat on the cottage porch.
I stayed inside far enough away not to hover.
Mostly.
Mason said:
“I tied you up because Grandma told me it would prove you needed me.”
Caleb stared.
“I don’t.”
“I know.”
“You hit me.”
“I know.”
“That was mean.”
“Yes.”
Then Caleb asked:
“Do you think I’m stupid?”
The silence nearly stopped my heart.
Mason answered carefully.
“No.”
Caleb frowned.
“I am intellectually disabled.”
He said the phrase slowly.
Comfortably.
We had always used honest language with him.
Mason nodded.
“I know.”
“That’s not same as stupid.”
“No.”
Good.
Then Mason said:
“I thought needing help meant I got to decide.”
Caleb considered.
“That’s stupid.”
I covered my mouth inside the house.
Mason laughed through tears.
“Yeah.”
Then Caleb offered him a soda.
Not forgiveness ceremony.
May you like
Soda.
Better.
