Next, I check on Braeden. He’s been pretty withdrawn, which concerns me. I wonder if more is going on than his attachment to Calvin and his being gone. He’s still grieving, but the light was returning to him until Calvin had to go.
I knock on his closed door.
“Come in.”
I step into the guest room he’s staying in. It’s dark except for the light from his phone.
“You okay?”
He nods, but doesn’t look at me.
“All ready for school tomorrow?”
He nods again.
“Do you need anything before I head to bed?”
He gives me a shake of his head.
“Braeden?”
The boy finally looks up at me.
“Be honest. Are you okay?”
One of his shoulders rises in a shrug. “I guess. Just… lots of thoughts.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
I want to push because he’s clearly troubled, but I don’t want to be intrusive either. I know having space to process is important. “Okay, then. Come to me if you ever need to talk… about anything.”
He nods again and goes back to scrolling on his phone.
“Ten minutes and it’s bedtime.”
I leave his room to speak with Harrison. His door is still open, so I walk in. “Hey, Hare. Can we talk for a minute?”
“Yeah.”
I sit on the edge of his bed. He’s sitting up, leaning against his headboard with his knees drawn. He sets his tablet down, which he shouldn’t be on right before bed—one battle at a time.
“Did you tell your sister that you all were adopted?”
He frowns, dark curls spilling over his eyes, which reminds me that he needs a haircut, and nods. “Yeah…”
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m not mad.”
He eyes me suspiciously for a second. Seeing no lies, he relaxes.
“I didn’t plan on telling her yet, but it’s out now. No point in crying over spilled milk. But I’d like to ask you not to tell her what happened to your parents yet. She’s too young to understand fully. I’ll tell her when she’s a bit older and can process it.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Thanks, Hare.” I hold out my arms. “Can I have a hug?”
He reaches for me, and I squeeze him tight and playfully shake him around, making him laugh a little. “I love you,” I tell him.
