Page 51 of Reeves

“I just…” I exhale slowly. “I know what it’s like to care about someone who can’t stay. I don't want to bring that kind of uncertainty into Benjy’s life if I can help it.”

Mom nods slowly.

“I understand that,” she says. “But this isn’t exactly the same situation.”

I look over at her.

“He didn’t know about Benjy,” she continues. “That matters, Charli. If he’d known and walked away anyway, I’d be standing right here telling you to slam the door in his face.”

Benjy suddenly runs back toward us.

“Mama, look!” He drops a piece of blue sea glass into my hand like it’s the most valuable thing in the world.

“Oh, that's really beautiful, Ben. I love it."

He grins and takes off again before I can say anything else.

Mom waits until he’s out of earshot.

“Did he push?”

“No.”

“Did he demand anything?”

“No.”

I stare down at the piece of sea glass in my palm.

“That actually sounds like he’s trying to do this the right way.”

I let out a quiet breath.

“You really think so?”

“I do,” she says. “Meeting him once doesn’t mean you’re handing over your life. It just means you’re letting the boy’s father see him. I think that is more than reasonable, honey.”

She gestures toward Benjy, who is now kneeling in the sand.

“You get to decide how it happens,” she adds. “Where. When. How long.”

I watch Benjy for a long moment.

“I’m just trying to protect him.”

“I know you are.”

She squeezes my arm.

“But protecting him doesn’t always mean keeping people out. Sometimes it means making sure you’re the one setting the terms.”

Benjy suddenly sprints toward us again.

“Mama! Gigi! I found a dinosaur tooth!”

He skids to a stop in front of us, holding out a triangular shell.

“See? T-Rex.”