I thought about it for a second.
What I felt now wasn’t the first wildfire of rage. It was steadier. Cleaner.
“I’m not letting them hurt you,” I said.
She nodded as if that was the only answer that mattered.
Later, as I tucked her in, she looked up sleepily and whispered, “Thank you for coming.”
My throat tightened so hard it hurt.
“Always,” I said. “I always come.”
If anyone asks me now whether I went too far, I think of Ellie pressing her hands against hot glass, waiting for people who had decided a little girl’s fear was a fair price for their fun.
Then I think of her asleep in her own bed months later, safe enough to dream.
No.
I didn’t go too far.
I finally went far enough.
