And The Silver Spoon
Your shoulders melt in sympathy for Theo. You watch him hug himself and look down sadly.
For a moment, he's 5 again, and you're picking him up from the hospital.
Without a second thought, you step forward and wrap him in a comforting hug.
He hugs you back in a heartbeat. You rock back and forth.
"I'm so sorry," you whisper. You feel Theo's back bounce softly with sobs. "I shouldn't have said those things about your posters, kiddo. This isn't your fault, its mine."
Theo doesn't say anything through tears, only buries his face further.
"All right," you say after a while. You pull out of the hug and look into Theo's tired, bruised eyes. "Sleep it off, but I got a pack of frozen peas in the freezer with your name on them. I want that thing iced and gone in the morning."
Theo forces a smile that doesn't reach his eyes and agrees.
"I'll do my best."