Chapter 23 - MILES DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BRAVE ALL THE TIMESpring brought thunderstorms.
Lila hated thunder.
The first big storm shook the mansion just after midnight.
She screamed.
Miles woke.
His feet touched the floor.
Then he stopped.
Across the hallway he heard Caroline.
“I’m here.”
Lila cried again.
Then Ethan’s voice.
“I’ve got the bunny.”
Miles stood in his doorway.
Nobody had called him.
Nobody needed him.
He should have felt relieved.
Instead he felt strangely empty.
The next day he told Dr. Price.
“I wanted them to need me.”
She nodded.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
Miles frowned.
“Because if Lila doesn’t need me…”
He stopped.
Dr. Price waited.
“…then what was all that for?”
There it was.
For months, protecting Lila had become his identity.
If he no longer had to, part of him felt useless.
Dr. Price leaned forward.
“You know what big brothers do when little sisters are safe?”
“What?”
“Annoy them.”
Miles laughed.
“I already do that.”
“Excellent progress.”
Then she became serious.
“Protecting Lila was brave.”
Miles nodded.
“But you are allowed to be other things.”
“Like?”
“A terrible dancer.”
“I’m not.”
“A boy who loses at chess.”
“I beat Dad.”
“A kid who sometimes wants to be alone.”
Miles thought.
“Is that selfish?”
“No.”
“What if she needs me?”
“Then adults can help too.”
Miles looked toward the window.
“I don’t have to be brave all the time?”
“No.”
That sentence stayed with him.
The following weekend Ben invited Miles to sleep over.
Miles almost declined.
Then remembered.
You are allowed to be other things.
He packed.
Before leaving he went to Lila.
She sat on the floor building blocks.
“I’m going to Ben’s.”
“No.”
Miles laughed.
“Yes.”
“No!”
“Mom’s here.”
Lila frowned.
“Dad’s here.”
She remained unconvinced.
“Grandma’s coming tomorrow.”
Lila lifted a block.
“Mi stay.”
Miles’s chest tightened.
Caroline watched from the doorway.
He could stay.
Nobody would blame him.
Instead he kissed Lila’s forehead.
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
She cried for thirty seconds when he left.
Miles heard from the foyer.
His body screamed to return.
Caroline touched his shoulder.
“She’s okay.”
Miles took a breath.
Then walked out the door.
At Ben’s house they ate pizza.
Played video games.
Stayed awake until midnight.
Miles forgot to check his phone for two full hours.
At 10:45, Caroline sent a picture.
Lila asleep.
No message.
Just proof.
Miles smiled.
Ben looked over.
“Your sister?”
“Yeah.”
“She cute?”
“She’s annoying.”
Ben laughed.
May you like
Miles put the phone away.
He was ten again.
