Ben finally looked at me.
“What are we supposed to do?”
“Be kids.”
Sophie reached for Tara’s hand.
Ben asked Adam, “Can I still come to the apartment?”
“Be kids.”
“Whenever you’re with me.”
“And Sophie?”
Adam looked at his daughter.
“She’ll have a place there too.”
Sophie wiped her face. “I want to see it.”
“Whenever you’re with me.”
“You will.”
For the first time that evening, nobody tried to explain anything beyond what was true.
***
Two weeks later, all four of them visited me.
When they were leaving, Ben reached the front door and stopped.
“My backpack’s upstairs.”
All four of them visited me.
Adam turned toward the stairs. “I’ll grab it.”
Ben thought about it.
“No. I’ll get it next time.”
Then he ran outside after Sophie.
Adam stayed beside me.
“Mom, thanks for helping.”
“No. I’ll get it next time.”
“I’ll always help.”
He smiled.
I held his gaze.
“But I won’t do your part for you again.”
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