Chapter 17 - The Boy Who Grew Up Fast
Leo: Mom,
why do we not have a dad around?
Tommy at school has a dad who plays baseball with him.
Maid: Families come in all different shapes and sizes, sweetie,
some have two dads,
some have one mom,
we have each other.
Leo: But did I ever have a dad?
Where did he go?
Did he die?
Maid: He did not die, Leo,
he just...
he made some very bad choices,
and he could not be part of our family.
Leo: Was he a bad man?
Did he do crimes?
Like on television?
Maid: He was very confused,
he cared more about money than love,
and that made him act like a bad man.
Leo: I do not care about money,
I just want a dad to teach me how to ride a bike,
can Uncle Mark teach me?
Maid: Uncle Mark would love to teach you,
he is coming over this weekend,
we can practice in the park.
Leo: Okay,
that is good,
I like Uncle Mark.
Maid: You see?
We have lots of people who love us,
we have a wonderful family just the two of us.
Leo: I saw a picture in your drawer,
of a man in a suit,
is that him?
Maid: My heart stops for a second,
yes, Leo,
that was him a long time ago.
Leo: He looks like me,
we have the same nose,
and the same hair.
Maid: You look a little bit like him on the outside,
but inside, you are completely different,
you have a kind heart.
Leo: I will never be mean to anyone, Mom,
I promise,
I will be a good boy.
Maid: I know you will,
you are the best thing that ever happened to me,
you are my greatest joy.
Leo: Can I go play with the dog now?
He is digging a hole in the garden again,
I need to stop him.
Maid: Go ahead,
save the petunias,
I will make us some lunch.
Leo: Runs out the back door,
laughing as the dog jumps on him,
pure innocent joy.
Maid: I watch him through the window,
a perfect child born from a broken promise,
a miracle amidst the wreckage.
Lawyer: Calling on the phone,
just checking in,
how are you and the boy doing?
Maid: We are doing great,
he asked about his father today,
it was tough but we survived it.
Lawyer: It will get easier,
you are raising him perfectly,
do not doubt yourself.
Maid: I never doubt my love for him,
I only doubt the world he has to grow up in,
a world full of deceivers.
Lawyer: You gave him the armor of truth,
he will be fine,
enjoy your weekend.
Maid: I will,
May you like
every single moment of it,
in peace.
