At the bottom, in Evelyn’s elegant handwriting, were the words:
“Franklin, love him. But do not rescue the monster he may choose to become.”
I lowered the paper.
For years, I had believed I was protecting my son from hardship.
But maybe I had only been protecting him from becoming a man.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was not Brandon or Amber.
It was a text from an unknown number.
Mr. Reeves, this is Deputy Harris. Your son is creating a disturbance at the property. He is demanding to speak with you. We may need your statement regarding last night.
I stared at the message until the letters blurred.
Last night.
The slaps.
The blood.
Amber’s smile.
I walked to the bathroom mirror. The swelling had darkened under my eye. My lip had split again. A red line marked my cheek where Brandon’s ring had cut me.
