Chapter 18 - A Heart-to-Heart
The afternoon sun filtered through the golden maple trees lining the schoolyard as I waited near the front gates. Within minutes, the heavy metal doors swung open, and a flood of energetic children spilled out onto the pavement.
Mason spotted me immediately, breaking away from his group of friends and dashing across the courtyard with his backpack bouncing against his shoulders.
"Mom!" he shouted, throwing his arms around my waist.
"Hey there, high flyer," I laughed, kissing the top of his head. "How was school? Did you finish your science project?"
"It's awesome! We built a working model of a hydraulic bridge," Mason babbled excitedly as we walked hand-in-hand toward the car. "Tommy tried to make his out of popsicle sticks, but mine used reinforced cardboard and rubber bands. It held ten heavy books without breaking!"
"An engineer in the making," I beamed, unlocking the car doors. "I think we need to celebrate. How does your favorite wood-fired pizza sound for dinner?"
"And ice cream?" Mason added hopefully.
"Naturally."
As we drove through the familiar neighborhood streets toward home, Mason grew a little quieter, resting his chin against his hand as he stared out the passenger window. The playful chatter subsided, replaced by a thoughtful, introspective calm.
"Mom?" he asked softly, not looking away from the passing trees.
"Yes, buddy?"
"Do you ever think about... before?" Mason’s voice was small, hesitant, touching upon a subject we hadn't broached in months. "Like, before we moved into this house... and before Dad left?"
I kept my eyes on the road, signaling smoothly into our driveway before turning off the engine. I unbuckled my seatbelt, turned sideways in my seat, and gently took Mason’s small hands in mine.
"Sometimes, Mase," I answered honestly, keeping my tone warm and reassuring. "But mostly I think about how far we’ve come. Why do you ask?"
Mason looked down at our joined hands, his fingers tracing my knuckles. "I used to be scared that things would always feel broken. But they don't feel broken anymore. They feel... safe."
May you like
A sharp, warm lump formed in my throat, and I blinked back sudden tears of profound relief. I pulled him into a tight, fierce embrace, resting my cheek against his soft hair.
"They are safe, baby," I whispered fiercely. "And they always will be."
