Then back to him.
“Noah…did you stop eating lunch so you could save money for this?”
His smile disappeared.
“Not every day.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“But Lucy’s birthday is tomorrow.”
I sat beside him and took his hands.
“Listen carefully. What you wanted to do for Lucy is incredibly kind.”
His expression brightened slightly.
“But kindness should never mean secretly going hungry.”
“I needed the money.”
“You could have asked us.”
“You might have said no.”
“Then you could have asked how to earn it.”
“I did earn some.”
“I know.”
He sighed.
“Mrs. Reynolds doesn’t pay very much.”
I tried not to laugh.
Then I pulled him against me.
“You don’t have to hurt yourself to prove you care about someone. Promise me you understand that.”
After a moment, his arms tightened around me.
“I understand.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
I kissed the top of his head.
