Chapter 8 - NOAH SAW DYLAN AGAIN
Almost a year passed.
Noah’s rib healed.
The bruise faded.
The fear lasted longer.
For months, he refused to visit houses where older boys would be present.
He checked whether doors locked.
He charged his smartwatch every night without me reminding him.
At first, I saw that as responsibility.
His therapist saw something else.
Hypervigilance.
So we worked on it.
Slowly.
Noah returned to soccer.
Sleepovers eventually.
Birthday parties.
Normal eight-year-old life became normal nine-year-old life.
Then he asked me:
“Can I see Dylan?”
I stared.
“You want to?”
“I want to know if he’s still mean.”
Direct.
Fair.
The therapists coordinated.
The juvenile program approved a supervised restorative meeting only after both children were considered ready.
I attended.
Melissa attended.
Mom and Dad did not.
Dylan entered looking taller.
Quieter.
He sat across from Noah.
For almost a full minute, nobody spoke.
Then Dylan said:
“I’m sorry I broke your rib.”
Noah looked at him.
“And my glasses.”
Dylan nodded.
“And your glasses.”
“And my watch.”
“The screen still worked.”
“That doesn’t mean you didn’t scratch it.”
I nearly laughed.
Dylan nodded.
“And your watch.”
Then:
“I was mad because I thought you got better stuff.”
Noah frowned.
“So?”
Dylan blinked.
Noah continued:
“Grant at school has a PlayStation 5.”
“I don’t punch him.”
The therapist hid a smile.
Dylan looked down.
“I know.”
Then he said:
“My mom and Grandma kept saying your dad acted like he was better than us.”
I felt something twist in my stomach.
Noah looked at me.
Then back at Dylan.
“My dad drives a Honda.”
Apparently that settled class warfare.
I coughed to hide a laugh.
Dylan finally smiled too.
Then became serious.
“I shouldn’t have hit you.”
“No.”
“Even if you didn’t give me the watch.”
“No.”
“Even if you hit me first.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know.”
Noah sat quietly.
Then said:
“I don’t forgive you yet.”
Melissa started crying.
Dylan nodded.
“Okay.”
That answer mattered more than a dramatic hug.
They did not become friends.
They became cousins who could eventually be in the same room without fear.
May you like
That was enough.
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