“My Benny. I want you to know that Mommy will always love you and Daddy. Please look after each other and know that I’m with you always. Don’t stop swimming; I know you both enjoy it. And don’t forget the embarrassingly large order.”
Marcus still wouldn’t meet my eyes.
The tears came freely now. Ben sobbed next to me.
“She chose you,” I said finally. “You know that’s not something to hide from, right?”
“I just didn’t know how to look at you,” Marcus answered. “Either of you.”
My son slid the bracelet onto his own wrist. It hung loose past his knuckles.
“Was Mommy brave?” he asked.
“She chose you.”
Marcus’s face crumpled. “She was the bravest person I ever met, buddy.”
I reached across and put my hand on his shoulder. He flinched as if he weren’t sure he was allowed to feel it.
“Marcus. Listen to me. Claire kept you alive so that you could live. Not so you could carry her around alone for two years.”
