When Michael returned home, I was waiting in the living room.
He handed me the chocolates and explained what had happened.
I was relieved he’d confronted his father, but one detail troubled me.
“He still thinks this is about replacing candy,” I said.
Michael nodded.
“I think so.”
“Then we can’t act as though everything is fixed.”
“I agree.”
I told him about Owen’s question.
Michael sat beside me.
“That sounds exactly like something I would have asked when I was little.”
“What did you need someone to tell you?”
He thought for a moment.
“That I was allowed to be upset with my dad.”
I took his hand.
“Then that’s what our boys need to hear.”
The following morning, we returned the recovered chocolates to the twins and explained that Grandpa would replace the missing ones.
Ethan brightened when he saw his caramel bar.
But Owen asked, “Is Grandpa still mad?”
