“Fifteen tickets, please,” he was telling the teenager behind the window when I caught up.
“I count as a native,” I argued as he counted out the bills. “I’ve been here since I was fifteen. You, however, have been gone for years.”
“But you didn’t know about this one, did you?” He winked at me before turning to Jade. “Okay, Geode, which one first?”
She pointed to the ride where the little hot air balloons went up in the air in circles. To my surprise, though, Derrick frowned.
“I don’t know, hun. That one’s pretty tall, and I can’t go on it with you.”
“Why?” She pouted.
“I’m too tall. They wouldn’t let me on.”
I pointed at the height requirement board “She’s tall enough. Why not let her go on by herself?”
He turned his frown on me. “I don’t know.”
“Come here.” I took Jade from her brother’s rather unwilling arms. Then I set her on the ground and let my hands rest on her shoulders. “Jade’s going to be seven soon. Definitely old enough to go on a ride on her own.” I smiled down at her. “She has also gone on several trips this year, including our visit to a ski lift to see the mountain scenery. And she never once tried to get out or run away.”
His eyes nearly popped. “You took her on a ski lift?” Then he shook his head and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. “It doesn’t matter. You were with her on those rides. And there were other children.”
“And I think,” I said gently, “that she’s proved herself to be trustworthy.” I looked down. “If we let you go on that one, are you going to try to jump or climb out?” I fixed her with a warning look. “Because if you did, you’d get very hurt.”
“No, won’t get out.” She let out a dramatic huff and rolled her eyes.
“There.” I looked back at Derrick. “How about that?”
“I don’t know.” He looked back up at the ride the way some people look at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
“Look,” I said softly so Jade couldn’t hear. “You’re a great brother. And you take wonderful care of her. But…she’s six. She’ll be seven soon. You need to let her grow up a little.”
“I want to. But she’s…”
“She’s what?” I leaned back and gave him a knowing look.
“She’s…different from other kids her age. And if she gets on that thing—”
“She’ll begin to understand that she’s capable of living life on her own. But if you keep picking her up and carrying her around, she’s never going to learn how to be her own person. I promise you,” I leaned forward, willing him to meet me with those startlingly blue eyes. “She’s ready.”
He drew in a deep breath and covered his eyes with his hands before moving them behind his head.
“Fine,” he finally said after a few short paces. “Just…let me walk her up.”
I nodded and stepped back as he took her by the hand and led her to the line. Then he bent down and talked to her quietly for a moment before kissing her on the forehead and handing the man a ticket. Once she was seated in the green balloon and buckled in, he gave her one more kiss before heading back to stand with me.
“I promise,” I said, trying to give him an encouraging smile. “She’ll be fine.”
“I know.” But his frown deepened.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I just…” He swallowed, his eyes never leaving his sister. “I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until I came back after the…the incident.”
I wished desperately that he would tell me what the incident was, but I knew better than to get my hopes too high. So I tried a less direct tactic instead.
“What do you mean?”
“My parents weren’t always like they are now.” He reached up to touch the brim of his hat.
