A Boy’s Fear
Leo’s bright energy dimmed. The fearless little boy now flinched at sudden noises, refused to go near the stairs, and avoided his grandmother and uncle.
When Mark entered the room, Leo pressed into the sofa cushions, trying to disappear.
When Eleanor hugged him, his small body stiffened, his eyes wide with unease.
One night, Sarah sat by his bed, brushing his hair gently.
“Sweetheart,” she whispered. “Can you tell Mommy what happened on the stairs? Were you scared?”
He was silent for a long time, eyes fixed on the glowing plastic stars above his bed.
Finally, in a small voice, he said,
“Uncle Mark played a mean game.”
A chill ran through Sarah.
“What kind of game, honey?”
But he only shook his head and buried himself in the covers.
A mean game. Not an accident.
It was enough. Her doubt turned into certainty.
