Micah was fastened against a padded support post while blindfolded Caleb was handed a lightweight party bat.
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Chapter 12 / 17
Chapter 12
Micah eventually asked to hear Brielle’s letter.
Caleb did not.
Different children.
Different timing.
I read Micah’s aloud.
She apologized for telling him he had to stay still.
For making him believe Caleb would be sent away if he moved.
For trying to make him responsible for what adults decided.
Micah listened.
Then:
“She lied big.”
“Yes.”
“Is sorry big?”
I thought.
“Sorry can be big.”
“Does that fix?”
“No.”
He nodded.
Good.
Then:
“Can I see her?”
Not yet.
He accepted that.
Caleb refused his letter for another year.
I kept it sealed.
His no mattered equally.
Adults love symmetry.
Children rarely provide it.
One forgives faster.
One remembers differently.
One wants contact.
One doesn’t.
Forcing matching emotions only creates another kind of control.
May you like
I was learning.
Slowly.
