Chapter 8 - THE BOY WHO DREW THE TRUTH
Luca's therapist agreed that familiar, supportive people could help him feel safe, provided the visits remained comfortable and pressure-free.
Emily visited the Romano estate one Saturday afternoon.
She arrived carrying a small box.
Inside were crayons.
Every color.
Luca met her in the library.
When he saw her, he smiled.
A real smile.
“Cookie lady.”
Emily laughed.
“That's me.”
He pointed at the box.
“Crayons?”
“Absolutely.”
They sat at a low table near the window.
Emily spread out the colors.
Luca immediately selected green.
Then he began drawing.
This time, he drew a building.
A parking structure.
A metal door.
A small green light.
Emily watched without asking questions.
Luca drew a woman.
Then a man.
Then a second man standing near the door.
He stopped.
His hand trembled.
Emily gently pushed the crayons aside.
“You can take a break.”
Luca looked at her.
“Mommy was brave.”
Emily swallowed.
“I believe you.”
He nodded.
“She told me to run.”
Emily's heart pounded.
But she remembered what Vincent and the therapist had explained.
Don't question him about the event.
Don't lead him.
Don't turn a safe moment into an interrogation.
So she simply said:
“That sounds frightening.”
Luca leaned against her.
May you like
Emily placed an arm around his shoulders.
And they sat quietly until he was ready to draw flowers instead.
