I turned to Captain Hale.
“That’s enough for today.”
He nodded. “Understood.”
Daniel looked startled. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes.”
“But they just met my mother.”
“And they will see her again when arrangements are made safely.”
Margaret turned toward me with panic.
“Kesha, please.”
I touched her arm gently.
“This is not punishment. This is protection. They’ve had enough shocks for one day.”
She looked toward the children, then nodded through tears.
“You’re right.”
Olivia ran to her and wrapped both arms around her waist.
“We can come back?”
Margaret held her as though afraid to breathe too hard.
“I hope so.”
Noah approached Daniel with solemn caution.
Daniel crouched slowly, careful not to reach.
For one fragile moment, father and son looked at each other.
Noah’s voice was quiet.
“You should have asked Mama.”
Daniel’s face broke.
“Yes,” he whispered. “I should have.”
“And you should not call people unstable when they are just sad.”
