Chapter 25 - Millicent sees the new camp brochure
Three years after the playground, Silas was nine.
He came home from school carrying a brochure.
Camp Orion.
Five-day overnight science camp.
Telescopes.
Rocketry.
Nature hikes.
Cabins.
His entire face lit up.
“Dad.”
I knew immediately.
“You want to go.”
“Yes.”
Overnight.
Five days.
Three years earlier, the word would have made both of us panic.
“Where?”
“Massachusetts.”
Of course.
“School recommendation?”
“Caleb went.”
We researched.
Licensed camp.
Normal.
Age appropriate.
Parents involved.
No behavioral treatment.
No secret paperwork.
Silas wanted it.
Then he became nervous.
“What if I want to come home?”
“We talk.”
“Would you get me?”
“If you were unsafe or truly couldn’t manage, yes.”
“What if I’m just sad?”
“We’d talk first.”
He nodded.
Then:
“Can Grandma know?”
“Of course.”
Millicent came for dinner a week later.
Silas handed her the brochure.
“I’m going here.”
She read.
Her face changed.
For one second, old history.
Then:
“Do you want to?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“What if I cry?”
She swallowed.
“Then you cry.”
Silas smiled.
No:
That proves you need it.
No:
Stay no matter what.
Just:
May you like
Then you cry.
That sentence may have been her most meaningful apology.
