Then my phone rang.
Tara.
I answered immediately.
“Tara?”
“Grandma?”
My knees weakened.
“Hey, Ben, sweetheart.”
“Did you find it?”
I looked at the key.
“The key?”
“Yes.”
“I found it.”
He breathed out.
“Please don’t tell Dad I left it there.”
“Why would he be upset?”
“He said it was important.”
“He said it was mine.”
“Does Sophie know?”
“No. She doesn’t know anything.”
Then his voice dropped.
“Please don’t be mad at Dad.”
“I’m not.”
“Don’t be mad at Mom either.”
That hurt more than the note.
Ben wasn’t trying to protect himself.
He was protecting both of his parents.
“Where’s your mom?”
“Inside paying for gas.”
“Put her phone back, sweetheart.”
“Okay.”
“Ben? You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Okay.”
He didn’t sound convinced.
Tara called that evening.
“I’m sorry Ben called you.”
“Don’t apologize for him.”
