Chapter 2 - DON'T SEND ME HOME
Richard carried Noah upstairs and locked the master-suite door.
"Sit by the fire."
Noah obeyed without a word.
Richard brought towels and warm water, then called Dr. Patel, who was staying nearby for the birthday weekend.
When Richard rolled up Noah's wet sleeve, he saw a yellow bruise around the upper arm and another near the elbow.
"Where did these come from?"
Noah pulled his sleeve down. "I bump into stuff."
A pounding hit the door.
"Dad! Open up!" Mark shouted. "This has gone far enough."
Richard ignored him.
"Did your father put you outside?"
Noah stared at the airplane.
"Claudia said I had to learn gratitude. Dad said twenty minutes."
Richard checked the clock. Dinner had started forty-five minutes earlier.
Another blow rattled the door.
"You're kidnapping my child!"
Richard stood.
Noah grabbed his hand. "Please."
Richard sat again.
"I'm not sending you anywhere tonight."
"Even if Dad says you have to?"
"Even then."
Quiet tears slid down Noah's cheeks.
Then he whispered, "They said if I ever told you what happens at home, you'd stop loving me too."
Richard felt something inside him go cold.
"Too?"
Noah looked toward the door.
Outside, Mark's voice dropped.
"Claudia, get the folder. We leave before he sees it."
Richard slowly rose.
May you like
There was no fear left in his face.
Only focus.
