Lenora ripped Fletcher’s dinner plate away so violently that the fork spun across the table.
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Chapter 26 / 27
Chapter 26 - FLETCHER’S SON
Fletcher became a father at thirty-four.
His son was named Owen.
At four, Owen threw a dinner roll onto the floor.
Deliberately.
Fletcher looked at him.
“Why?”
Owen grinned.
“Ball.”
“Food isn’t a ball.”
“Round.”
Technically.
Fletcher picked up the roll and threw it away.
Then put another on Owen’s plate.
“Try again.”
Owen took one bite.
Then:
“Not hungry.”
“Okay.”
He left half.
No lecture.
No plate dumped.
No hunger lesson.
Later Fletcher called me.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“I almost heard Grandma.”
My body went still.
“What?”
“Not words. Just… the urge to make eating into obedience.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“Good.”
“I gave him another roll.”
“Excellent.”
He laughed.
“Do I get a parenting award?”
May you like
“No.”
Healing is often the thing you do not repeat.
