“This way,” he pointed ahead of him and took off running.
I followed him around a wall of shrubbery that opened up at a playset so huge it should’ve been in a public park. It looked like a pirate ship, with a skull flag on top, turrets, and a cannon that shot tennis balls.
“Wow, Noah, this isamazing!”
“It’s new! Daddy got it for me right after…” he trailed off, and his expression clouded over.
I remained quiet to see how he’d process the fresh wave of grief.
“After I moved here,” he finally said, and my heart broke for him. I had known adults who couldn’t talk about the deaths of their loved ones. I could only imagine the enormity of a six-year-old trying to process it.
His little shoulders slumped, so I walked over and knelt in front of him to look him in the eyes.
“Do you want to talk about how you felt when you first moved here?”
He shook his head and looked down at the ground.
I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to. Distraction it was, then. “Okay, that’s fine. Do you want to talk about…who needs to walk the plank?”
He brightened a little. “This ship doesn’t have a plank.”
I made an exasperated huff. “In my imagination, it sure does! It’s right over there, by the ropes. See?”
He smiled a little wider, even as he shook his head. “No.”
“If you really can’t see it…” I sighed dramatically. “Then I guess I’ll just have to show you. Watch me.”
I jogged over to the ship and climbed on, then assumed the stance of a wizened pirate. I pointed my imaginary sword toward the invisible thief in front of me.
“Ahoy, fellow pirates! This landlubber has attempted to plunder our gold! And what’s the penalty for such a crime?” I held my hand up to my ear and looked at Noah. “What’s that? I can’t hear ya!”
“Walk the plank!” He giggled.
“Aye, that’sright! Now who’s ta help me with this scoundrel? I need strong hands and a swift sword!”
“I will!” Noah shouted.
“Get over here, matey,” I yelled back to him, way louder than necessary.
Logan appeared at the same moment looking faux-confused. “Hey, hey, what’s going on out here? I heard screaming all the way in my office. Something about pirates?”
“There’sthe thief,” I screamed dramatically. “Nab him!”
“Daddy!” Noah laughed as he ran over to his father. “You stole our gold and now you have to walk the plank.”
“Aye, he’ll be sleeping with the mermaids in no time,” I added, raising a fist.
Noah grabbed his father by the hem of his shirt and pulled him to the playset. I wasn’t quite sure how he’d respond, but to his credit, he was a good sport. He clasped his hands behind his back and even managed to look suitably terrified.
They paused next to me.
“Any last words, vermin?” I asked Logan.
“I didn’t do it, I swear.” His voice trembled believably. “Give me another chance, I beg of you!”
I looked down at Noah. “What say you, brother? Does he deserve one more chance?”
Noah was about to burst from glee. “No! Walk the plank, you robber!”
