Chapter 2 - THE WORDS A CHILD WAS AFRAID TO SAY
Daniel recovered first.
“Cole, children misunderstand things.”
Noah hid his face against Elena's skirt.
Cole looked at Daniel.
“That's not what I asked.”
Daniel spread his hands.
“I told him to be careful with his mother's belongings.”
“You told him I'd send his friend away?”
“I may have said there would be consequences.”
Cole's expression hardened.
“Leave the hallway.”
Daniel hesitated.
“Cole—”
“Now.”
For once, Daniel's smile failed him.
He walked away.
Cole turned toward Margaret.
“Please take the children somewhere safe.”
Noah clung to Elena.
“No!”
Cole stopped.
His son's terror seemed to hurt him more than the ruined music box.
Elena knelt.
“Sweetheart, nobody is angry with you.”
Noah shook his head.
“Daddy is.”
Cole crouched beside them.
“Noah.”
The boy refused to look up.
Cole's voice softened.
“I'm upset about the music box. But I'm not angry with you.”
Noah sniffled.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Eli stepped forward.
“I broke it.”
Noah shook his head.
“No, Eli!”
Cole looked between them.
Then said something that surprised everyone.
“Neither of you needs to confess right now.”
Elena blinked.
Cole continued.
“I care much more about whether you're hurt.”
He looked at the broken glass.
“Did either of you get cut?”
Both boys shook their heads.
Cole nodded.
“Good.”
Then he turned toward Margaret.
“Please take them to the kitchen. Have someone clean this up carefully.”
Margaret nodded.
Elena started to follow.
But Cole stopped her.
“Mrs. Bennett.”
She froze.
“Yes, sir?”
“Stay a moment.”
Her stomach tightened.
She waited until the children disappeared around the corner.
Then Cole looked at the shattered music box.
“Did you see what happened?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you hear anything?”
“Only the crash.”
He nodded.
Then looked at her.
“Do you believe Eli broke it?”
Elena hesitated.
“I believe my son was trying to protect Noah.”
Cole looked toward the kitchen.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered:
“That's what frightens me.”
Elena frowned.
“What?”
“My son thinks telling the truth will cost him the only friend he's made in three years.”
Cole looked at her.
“And I don't know when he started believing that.”
That evening, Noah refused dinner.
Eli sat beside him, pushing peas around his plate.
Margaret watched them with concern.
Elena knelt between their chairs.
“Boys.”
Neither looked up.
She smiled gently.
“Can someone tell me what really happened?”
Eli glanced at Noah.
Noah shook his head.
Elena waited.
Finally, Noah whispered:
“Mr. Cross told me Mommy left something inside the music box.”
Elena froze.
“What?”
Noah looked frightened.
“He said Daddy didn't know.”
Eli nodded.
“And he said Noah had to find it.”
Elena felt a chill.
“Find what?”
Noah looked toward the hallway.
May you like
Then whispered:
“A little silver bird.”
