For a while, nobody spoke.
Then Richard looked at the bucket.
“So you think I’m a bad father because I took some candy?”
“No,” Michael answered. “I’m telling you that something you thought was harmless made your children afraid to ask you for kindness.”
Richard rubbed his forehead.
“I never knew you felt that way.”
“You never asked.”
Michael stood.
“I want the boys’ candy back.”
Richard opened a kitchen drawer and took out the remaining chocolates he’d brought home.
Several wrappers were already empty.
Michael looked at them.
“You ate some.”
“Of course I did.”
“Then you’ll need to replace those.”
Richard gave an irritated sigh.
“Fine. I’ll buy more tomorrow.”
Michael gathered the remaining bars.
“And Dad? You owe Ethan and Owen an apology.”
“I’ll tell them I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“That’s not an apology.”
Richard looked away.
Michael picked up the bucket.
“Until you understand that, we’re going to need some space.”
