When My Child Mentioned “Aunt Phoebe,” Everything Fell Apart

you said I’m too young for. But Dad said I was brave enough.”

“Did it scare you?”

He hesitated. Then whispered, “I had a bad dream. But Dad said big boys don’t get scared.”

Something in me broke cleanly. I pulled Noah into my lap, and he melted against me.

“You can always tell me if something scares you,” I whispered into his hair. “Even if someone says continue reading …