the darkness falls around me at night
"That’s such a good age," I add, eyes bright. "They’re all energy and wild logic and sticky hands. I used to babysit whenever I could—odd jobs, here and there. Took care of all kinds of little ones. I loved it."
I glance away, brushing snow from my jacket sleeve—right over the tear. The old fabric is stiff, but comfortable. I always thought it would get softer over time, but maybe some things just don’t.
"I begged my parents for a sibling once," I say with a small laugh, more fond than sad. "Over and over. I had this dream that they’d just show up with one someday like, surprise! Here’s your built-in best friend." I pause, then shrug. "But they never did. They said Caido wasn’t the kind of world you brought a second child into. They never felt safe enough. And I get it now—more than I did then. But still. I think it takes a lot of hope to do what you did. To look at everything and still bring someone into it."
I look at him again, a little more serious now. "He’s going to know that. Even if he never says it. Kids are sharper than we give them credit for. He’ll grow up knowing what you protected for him."
I glance away, brushing snow from my jacket sleeve—right over the tear. The old fabric is stiff, but comfortable. I always thought it would get softer over time, but maybe some things just don’t.
"I begged my parents for a sibling once," I say with a small laugh, more fond than sad. "Over and over. I had this dream that they’d just show up with one someday like, surprise! Here’s your built-in best friend." I pause, then shrug. "But they never did. They said Caido wasn’t the kind of world you brought a second child into. They never felt safe enough. And I get it now—more than I did then. But still. I think it takes a lot of hope to do what you did. To look at everything and still bring someone into it."
I look at him again, a little more serious now. "He’s going to know that. Even if he never says it. Kids are sharper than we give them credit for. He’ll grow up knowing what you protected for him."
Theea
and covers me in silence so bright
