Chapter 26 - WHAT HARRISON TOLD ETHAN
Ethan was eight when he asked the full question.
Not the full crime.
The doll.
“Why did Daddy pick me?”
We had prepared for it with Maya.
Harrison answered.
“Because I thought if I gave the doll to Mommy directly, someone might stop it.”
“Why me?”
“I thought adults would ignore your toy.”
“Smart.”
Harrison shook his head.
“No.”
Ethan looked surprised.
“It worked.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“Why?”
“Because you were three. I made you responsible for something dangerous adults should have handled.”
“Did I save you?”
“No.”
“Mom?”
“No.”
“Then what did I do?”
Harrison smiled.
“You followed instructions because you trusted your dad.”
“Was that bad?”
“No.”
“My part?”
“No.”
“Your part?”
“Yes.”
There.
No burden.
No hero child.
Ethan thought.
“Okay.”
Then:
“Can I have ice cream?”
May you like
“Yes.”
Children are merciful when adults stop forcing meaning on them.
