Chapter 23 - PEYTON GETS MAD AT METhree months later Peyton shouted:
“You made everything worse!”
I froze.
She had been doing homework.
One math problem.
Then suddenly:
“Christmas is ruined forever.”
I sat down.
“What happened?”
“Aunt Ashley says Bryce can’t come if I’m there.”
“She shouldn’t have told you that.”
“She didn’t. Sophie did.”
Cousins.
Information finds children.
Peyton cried.
“Everybody hates me.”
“No.”
“Grandpa does.”
“I don’t know what Grandpa feels.”
“He thinks I’m weak.”
“He was wrong.”
“But if I didn’t tell, everyone would still be together.”
There.
The burden truth-tellers carry.
I moved closer.
“Peyton, the shove caused the problem.”
She looked away.
“Grandpa choosing not to stop it caused part of the problem.”
Silence.
“Dad staying quiet caused part.”
More silence.
“I missed signs too.”
She looked at me.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“You asked not to play with Bryce. I didn’t ask enough questions.”
Her anger softened.
“I didn’t tell you why.”
“You were ten. Adults are supposed to help with the why.”
She began crying harder.
Then:
“You kicked Grandpa.”
“Yes.”
“Was that my fault?”
The question nearly broke me.
“No.”
“Because you were protecting me.”
“I chose the kick.”
“Would you do it again?”
I thought.
“I would get between you again. I would call for help sooner. I would not choose that kick if I had another safe option.”
May you like
She nodded.
That answer seemed to matter.
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