“No, sweetheart. You didn’t ruin anything.”
But after he went to bed, I sat in the dark for a long time.
***
I told Nathan what Ben had said.
“You didn’t ruin anything.”
He was folding towels beside the dresser.
“Miley, he’s seven.”
“He knew exactly where the box was, Nat.”
“Maybe Mom pointed at something.”
“Miley, he’s seven.”
“How would she know where I keep it?”
Nathan stopped folding.
“She’s seen it before.”
“Years ago.”
He sighed.
“Ben probably misunderstood.”
“She’s seen it before.”
I looked at him.
“He’s telling me your mother has been walking around the house.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Then why would he make it up?”
“That’s impossible.”
“I’m not saying he made it up.” Nathan put the towels down. “I’m saying kids get confused.”
***
The next morning, I checked Diane’s room before leaving for work.
She lay against her pillows, eyes open.
“I’m saying kids get confused.”
