A Secret Between Father and Son
Later that evening, I heard Brandon carrying Alex toward his bedroom.
Their voices became quiet as they disappeared down the hallway.
A moment later, the bedroom door clicked almost shut.
I was standing near the kitchen sink, drying my hands, when something made me pause.
Then I heard Brandon speaking.
“Remember what I told you, buddy. This stays between us.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
My chest tightened.
I took one step toward the bedroom.
For a moment, I considered opening the door and demanding to know what they were discussing.
But then I stopped.
Fathers and sons had private jokes. Secret handshakes. Imaginary games.
I did not want to be the mother who interrupted every special moment simply because she was not included.
So I returned to the kitchen.
I told myself their secret was harmless.
I told myself Brandon would never ask our son to hide something important from me.
I was wrong.
