Chapter 15 - A Safe Night
We did not fly home that night. Rhett needed rest more than he needed another airport.
I booked a room at a hotel near Orlando International Airport and let him choose dinner from the room-service menu. He picked grilled cheese, tomato soup, and chocolate milk. He sat cross-legged on the bed in borrowed pajamas provided by the resort’s guest team because his suitcase remained with my parents.
For the first half hour, he barely spoke. Then he began asking questions.
“Is Grandma mad at me?” “No.” “Is Aunt Isolde?” “That is not something you need to worry about.” “Are Mason and Cooper mad?” “They may be confused. But you did not cause this.”
He dipped one corner of his sandwich into the soup. “Grandma said everybody missed the boat because of me.”
“Adults sometimes say unfair things when they do not want to admit they made a poor decision.”
“Do grown-ups get time-outs?”
I smiled sadly. “Sometimes grown-ups have consequences too.”
“Like what?”
“Losing privileges. Having rules placed around them. Not being trusted with certain responsibilities.”
He thought about that. “Can Grandma lose the privilege of taking me places?”
“Yes.”
“Did she?”
“Yes.”
He took another bite of his sandwich. “Good.”
The word was so quiet that I nearly missed it. Then he looked worried. “Is it bad that I said good?”
“No, sweetheart.”
“I don’t want her to be sad.”
“You can care about someone’s feelings and still need distance from their decisions.”
He nodded, though I was not sure how much he understood.
That night, he asked to sleep with the bathroom light on. Normally, I might have encouraged him to use the small bedside lamp instead. I might have worried that too much accommodation would turn fear into a habit. But there are moments when a child does not need a lesson in independence. He needs evidence that the adult beside him is listening.
So I left the light on.
Around two in the morning, I woke and found him sitting upright.
“Mom?” “I’m here.” “I thought you left.”
May you like
I pulled him beside me. “I’m staying right here.” “Even if I take too long to fall asleep?” “Even then.”
He rested his head against my shoulder. Within minutes, his breathing became slow and even. I remained awake until sunrise.
