Chapter 8 - Theo Was Never the Enemy
Sabrina moved out of the mansion on the night of the lockdown, but Theo’s stuffed backpack remained behind.
A member of Rafael’s team found it in the guest room. Inside were two shirts, a toy car, and a drawing of four figures standing beneath a large yellow sun.
One figure was labeled MOM.
One was THEO.
The third was MR G.
The fourth, smaller and separated from the others, was labeled MICA.
Audrey stared at the misspelled name.
Theo had drawn Micah apart because that was how the adults had arranged the world around them.
Audrey asked Rafael to return the backpack personally.
Sabrina lived temporarily with her sister. When Audrey arrived, Sabrina opened the door with visible surprise.
“I thought your security director was coming.”
“I wanted to bring this myself.”
Theo appeared in the hallway.
He looked frightened when he saw Audrey.
“Am I in trouble?”
The question struck her.
“No,” Audrey said. “You are not in trouble.”
He looked at the backpack.
“I forgot Rocket.”
Audrey handed it to him.
Theo hugged the toy car to his chest.
“Is Micah okay?”
“He is getting better.”
Theo nodded, then whispered, “Grandma Lorraine said I shouldn’t play with him when he cried.”
Audrey crouched so they were at the same height.
“You should always tell a safe grown-up when another child is sad or scared. But none of this was your responsibility.”
“Does Micah hate me?”
“No.”
Audrey could not promise how Micah would feel in the future, but she knew hatred had been taught in that house, not born in either child.
Sabrina asked Theo to go to the kitchen.
When he was gone, she looked at Audrey.
“Why are you being kind to him?”
“Because he is five.”
Sabrina lowered her eyes.
“I am sorry.”
Audrey did not rush to comfort her.
“Are you sorry that Micah was hurt, or sorry the plan failed?”
“Both.”
It was not a noble answer, but it was honest.
Sabrina had agreed to testify about the financial scheme. In exchange, prosecutors would consider her cooperation, though Audrey did not control the legal consequences.
“What will you do now?” Audrey asked.
“Find work. Real work. Try to explain to Theo why we moved again.”
“Do not tell him he caused it.”
“I won’t.”
Audrey walked toward the door, then paused.
“There is a child therapist Dr. Price recommends. My office will pay for Theo’s first six months of sessions.”
Sabrina stared at her.
“I don’t deserve that.”
“It is not for you.”
Months later, Micah and Theo met again in a therapist’s playroom.
At first, they stayed on opposite sides.
Then Theo rolled a toy car across the carpet.
Micah stopped it with his foot.
After a long silence, he rolled it back.
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The adults had tried to make one child a symbol of pride and the other a symbol of shame.
Without the adults directing them, the boys simply began to play.
