My eyebrows crease as I sit forward in my seat. "And what if she cries?"
The corners of her lips turn down as her eyebrows lift earnestly. "Then she cries, honestly. I'll try to talk to her about it, of course, and attempt to make her feel better. But no one has ever drowned in tears."
I smother the laugh that threatens to spill from my throat, keeping both my expression and tone serious. "And what if she locks herself in her bedroom?"
Tess looks at me as though she knows that's not Ruthie's style, but with how things are changing rapidly in this girl's world, I have to ask. It's something new every day.
"Then, I'll let her," she answers. "I'll check on her—I assume you have keys in case she stays there too long. But a kid's job is to test us—our reactions, our boundaries, our stamina. As long as she's safe, and she knows that either you or I are here when she's ready, I think it's good that she takes some time to cool off."
I run through the past answers I've gotten to the same question.
I'd call you and have you talk to her.
I'd take her phone—kids hate that.
Honestly, I'm not great at math. I'd probably just let her go.
Earlier today someone said,I'd let her finish later—she's only eleven once!And although that's true, that's not how we operate. In fact, I would do exactly what Tess just said.
But she doesn't know that.
"Liam?"
"Yeah?"
Tess looks at me, waiting, and Sammy mirrors her as if he too would like a response. "I said, as long as that's what you would do. I'm here to reinforce your house rules. If you'd say or do something different, then I'd respect that."
Well, damn.
"I'd follow your lead," she continues.
Something in her tone—soft, sure, steady—hits harder than it should.
Damn again.
"You know what I mean?"
I clear my throat unnecessarily. "I do, and I appreciate that."
"So, what else do you have for me?"
I look back down at my list, but the questions all blur together. This has been natural, easy—a conversation, not a grilling. And nothing likeit's been before. I felt it that night a few weeks ago, and I feel it again now—talking with Tess is simple.
Maybe too simple.
"I think that's enough for today," I say standing.
Tess doesn't follow. Instead, she looks up at me with confusion etched into her brow. "Really? I feel like we're just getting—"
"You said two minutes," I cut in gently. "But thank you for coming."
"Um, okay." She scratches Sammy behind the ears, then softly nudges him off of her. She stands and shoves both hands into her back pockets. "Well, I can give you my number… in case you have questions or need references or anything."
I blow a breath through my lips and hand her my phone. "Yeah, okay. Sure."
She takes it, and without hesitation, begins typing in her information. When she's finished, she gives it back, and I pocket it without looking at the screen.
"Wait, do you need a ride?" The words are out before I can stop them, a pit settling in their place. "You ran here…"
