Chapter 26 - CORMAC’S DAUGHTER
Cormac became a father at thirty-five.
His daughter’s name was Elsie.
At four, she crawled into Moose Two’s crate while playing dog.
Cormac froze.
His wife laughed.
Then saw his face.
“Cormac?”
Elsie barked.
“Woof!”
Cormac knelt.
“Hey, bug.”
“I’m puppy.”
“I see.”
“Close door.”
His breath caught.
Then he said:
“No.”
Elsie frowned.
“Why?”
“Because this door stays open when people are playing inside.”
“Dogs?”
“If a dog needs the door closed for safety, grown-ups make sure it’s safe. Kids don’t get locked in.”
“Why?”
“Because kids are people.”
Elsie considered.
“Good.”
Then crawled out.
No panic.
No shouted family history.
Later Cormac called me.
“I almost lost it.”
“But you didn’t.”
“I wanted to throw the crate away.”
“You still can.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not Grandma.”
May you like
There.
Objects stop being villains when people reclaim choice.
