expected that answer.
I saw then what grief had done to them. It had taught them to accept uncertainty as weather. Something that happened whether they wanted it or not.
Maya allowed me to say goodbye.
I crouched in front of them again, the same way I had at the bench.
“You’re going with Ms. Hernandez now,” I said. “She’s going to make sure you have a safe place to sleep.”
Owen asked, “Are you leaving?”
The word sliced cleanly through me.
“For tonight,” I said. “But I’ll check with Ms. Hernandez tomorrow.”
“You promise?”
I had made billion-dollar commitments with less fear than I felt at that question.
Promises to children should not be used as bandages over adult uncertainty.
So I chose carefully.
“I promise I will try to help in the ways I’m allowed.”
Owen did not like that answer.
But Lily studied me, serious and quiet.
“
