Chapter 13
Theo stopped carrying backpacks.
For months after the kidnapping, he refused anything with zippers because Grant had ripped open the green bag while searching for the phone.
At school, he carried papers in a plastic folder.
He stopped singing “You Are My Sunshine.”
The song belonged to the warehouse now.
Dr. Lena Ortiz worked with him through play therapy.
He built warehouses from blocks, then knocked them down before adding doors.
“Why no doors?” she asked.
“Dad comes through them.”
“What would make the building safer?”
Theo placed a red block on the roof.
“A button.”
“What does it do?”
“Calls everyone.”
Willa’s recovery moved differently.
Her infection delayed chemotherapy but did not end treatment.
She returned to the oncology floor after three weeks.
The first time an infusion pump beeped, she screamed and pulled at the tubing.
The staff stopped.
Explained each sound.
Allowed her to press the call button herself.
Control returned in small permitted choices.
Which arm for blood pressure.
Door open or closed.
Strawberry or chocolate medicine flavor.
Whether Diane’s name could be spoken during therapy.
Whether Elise could visit.
Hannah worried Willa would believe bravery required silence about fear.
One night, Willa woke crying.
“I almost went the wrong way.”
“What do you mean?”
“At the hospital. I went down the stairs and the door was locked.”
“What did you do?”
“I hit it.”
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
“Were you afraid?”
“I peed a little.”
The confession humiliated her more than discussing cancer or kidnapping.
Hannah pulled her close.
“Your body was scared.”
“Heroes don’t do that.”
“Who told you that?”
“Movies.”
“Movies lie about bodies.”
“Did you ever pee when Dad scared you?”
Hannah closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
Willa looked surprised.
“Adults do?”
“Yes.”
The answer seemed to free something.
Willa cried harder.
May you like
Not because she became more frightened.
Because she no longer needed to turn the terrified child in the stairwell into someone invincible.
