His eyes filled.
“I hate that.”
“I know.”
“I hate not doing anything.”
“Then sit with me.”
He looked at her.
“What?”
“When I’m scared.”
She smiled weakly.
“Sit with me.”
No money.
No hair.
No solution.
Presence.
Ethan nodded.
“Okay.”
Then Lily looked at me.
“Mrs. Bennett?”
“Yes?”
“Can he still help with the fundraiser?”
I looked at David.
He had arrived
behind her.
We exchanged a glance.
“With adults handling the legal and money parts,” I said.
Lily nodded.
“And no pictures unless you approve.”
“Good.”
“And no medical details unless your parents approve.”
“Good.”
Ethan frowned.
“So what do I do?”
Lily smiled.
“Make the updates less boring.”
For the first time all day, everyone laughed.
That night, after the Monroes left, Ethan sat at the kitchen table.
His hair was short now.
He looked younger.
Too young.
I made hot chocolate.
Set it beside him.
