There was little available for the children to prepare a simple meal.
Near the sink stood a small plastic cup with a little juice remaining inside.
Brent looked around the kitchen, trying to understand what had happened during the past few days.
He had believed the children were enjoying a comfortable week with their mother.
Instead, Tyler seemed to have been doing his best to help his younger sister while waiting for an adult to return.
The realization left Brent deeply concerned.
Still, he decided that understanding the circumstances could wait until both children were comfortable and safe.
For now, his attention belonged entirely to them.
After helping Tyler into the back seat and securing both children properly, Brent drove toward Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
He maintained a careful pace through traffic, occasionally checking the rearview mirror to make sure his children were comfortable.
A few minutes into the journey, Tyler spoke quietly.
“Is Mom upset with us?”
Brent kept his attention on the road.
“No,” he answered gently. “Your mom isn’t upset with you. Right now, I just want you to remember something, okay? I’m here, and I’m going to look after both of you.”
Tyler remained quiet for several moments.
Then he spoke again.
“I tried giving Annie some crackers… but she didn’t want any.”
Brent felt a wave of emotion as he listened to his son.
He wished Tyler had never needed to worry about such things, but he was grateful that the boy had reached out.
“You did exactly the right thing when you called me.”
For the first time since answering that unexpected phone call, Brent noticed a small change in his son’s expression.
Tyler leaned back against his seat, appearing a little more relaxed now that his father was beside him.
