He laughed.
“Probably not.”
“Then finish your pancakes.”
I tried not to think too much about the message.
I had learned that children sometimes needed surprises, small projects, and little plans that belonged only to them.
But two weeks later, Jacob called me.
“I wanted to apologize,” he said.
“For what?”
“For the way I handled the meeting. I was frightened, but Ethan didn’t deserve to be treated like a criminal.”
I leaned against the kitchen counter.
“He’s still learning when to step in and when to ask an adult for help.”
“I know. Lily and I have been talking about it.”
He hesitated.
“She’s staying with stage crew. We’ve worked out a schedule with her care team, and I’ve agreed to let her keep learning.”
“I’m glad.”
“She’s informed me that I know absolutely nothing about sewing.”
I laughed.
“Neither do I.”
“Apparently, that’s a serious character flaw.”
“You’re going to have to work on that.”
