“It is the answer.”
For one second, I expect Stefano to push. To turn it into an order. To make the child explain himself, because adults in power always seem to believe that fear becomes manageable once it is named for them.
Instead, Stefano lowers himself onto the stair beside Heath.
Not too close.
“Boston,” he says.
Heath nods.
“You think Maya is not coming back.”
Another nod.
Stefano rests his forearms on his knees. “She is.”
Heath’s head turns. “How do you know?”
Stefano looks down the hall toward me before he answers. “Because she told you she would.”
“That doesn’t mean she can.”
“No,” Stefano says. “It does not.”
The honesty makes Heath go still.
“But she is not going alone,” Stefano continues. “Omar is going. I am going. There will be more security than you will enjoy knowing about.”
“I don’t care about security.”
“I know.”
Heath’s mouth presses into a line.
Stefano leans back against the wall, his expression unreadable in the low light. “You do not need to be brave all night because someone you care about is leaving in the morning. You can be angry about it. You can be scared. You can also sleep before you decide what to do with either.”
Heath glances at him. “You don’t get scared.”
Stefano’s eyes move to him slowly. “That is not true.”
The answer surprises both of us.
Heath studies him, looking for the trick. “What are you scared of?”
Stefano does not answer immediately.
Then he says, “Losing things I should have protected better.”
The hallway goes quiet.
I look at Stefano differently for one dangerous second. He knows I am watching. He does not look at me.
Heath’s voice is smaller when he asks, “Will you make sure Erin is okay?”
“Yes.”
“Even if she cries a lot?”
