“That’s beautiful, buddy,” I said, admiring the artwork.
“Trudy says I can take it home to show Chloe-mama!” Leo carefully rolled up the picture. “And she says I’m doing really, really good at talking about my feelings.”
“You are doing really good,” Trudy confirmed, walking us to the door. “Sam, can I have a quick word?”
Leo ran back to the butterfly bush while Trudy spoke quietly. “He’s progressing remarkably well. The work you’re doing in family therapy is clearly paying off. Whatever you’re doing at home, keep doing it.”
“We’re just… showing up,” I said. “Being consistent. Keeping our promises.”
“That’s exactly what he needs.” Trudy smiled. “I’ll see you all for your family session on Thursday?”
“We’ll be here.”
At the clinic, Leo burst through the door with his usual enthusiasm. “Chloe-mama! Can I see the puppies? Trudy said I’m doing great at feelings!”
Chloe emerged from an exam room, a smile already on her face. “That’s wonderful! Let me finish up with Mr. Reynolds’s cat, and then we’ll go see them, okay?”
“Okay!” Leo settled into the waiting room chair, swinging his legs and humming to himself.
Sarah appeared from the back office, grinning when she saw us. “Leo! Perfect timing. The brown puppy with the white paws has been looking at the door all morning like she’s waiting for someone special.”
“Really?” Leo’s eyes went wide.
“Really. Come on, I’ll show you.”
I watched Leo follow Sarah to the back, then turned to Chloe. “How’s your day been?”
“Good. Busy.” She glanced toward her exam room. “Give me five minutes to finish up here?”
“Take your time. I’ll supervise the puppy situation.”
In the recovery area, I found Leo kneeling beside the basket of boxer mix puppies, his touch so gentle it barely disturbed their sleep. Sarah had settled on the floor beside him, watching with the fond expression everyone in Willowbrook seemed to have developed for Leo.
“This one is Daisy,” Leo was explaining to Sarah, pointing to each puppy in turn. “And that’s Max, and Bella, and Charlie, and Luna, and this is my favorite – Rosie. She has the white paws, and she’s the bravest one.”
“How do you know she’s the bravest?” Sarah asked.
“Because she’s always the first one to open her eyes and look around.” Leo gently stroked Rosie’s head. “I’m trying to be brave like Rosie.”
My chest tightened.
Chloe appeared beside me, her hand finding mine. “He’s doing so well,” she said quietly.
“Because of you,” I said. “You’re the one who thought of the therapy, who makes him feel safe enough to be brave.”
“We’re doing it together,” Chloe corrected. “That’s the whole point, Sam. We’re a team.”
A team. That was what we were rebuilding – not just a relationship, but a partnership. Trust that had been broken and was slowly being repaired, one honest conversation at a time.
“Daddy! Chloe-mama! Come see! Rosie opened her eyes!” Leo’s excited voice pulled us over to the basket.
We spent another twenty minutes with the puppies before Leo, and I left Chloe to head home.
???
At five o’clock, Jack and Harper arrived to pick up Leo for his sleepover. Emma bounded in with them, already chattering about all the fun things they were going to do.
“We’re gonna watch movies and play with my dolls and Leo’s trucks!” Emma announced, bouncing on her toes.
