Why He Chose the Forks
I sat across from him.
“What about Alex?”
Brandon’s eyes filled again.
“He heard me on the phone one night talking to a landlord. He asked whether I was leaving.”
My heart tightened.
“I told him no. I told him Daddy always comes back.”
“So you created the fork game?”
He nodded.
“I told him each fork was a silver promise. Every time he hid one under his mattress, it meant I would return home.”
“Why so many?”
“He kept asking me whether one promise was enough.”
Brandon gave a broken laugh.
“I told him he could make as many promises as he needed.”
Tears slipped down his face.
“He was scared, Cece. I was scared too. The game calmed him down.”
“And you told him to hide it from me.”
“I didn’t want you asking why he was afraid I might leave.”
“You made our child carry your fear.”
“I know.”
His voice broke completely.
