He watched it all, without interrupting, his hands clasped on the table, and in the end he simply nodded, as if everything was confirmed.
“That’s enough,” he said softly.
Sunday came too quickly.
I dressed Leo carefully, trying to make sure his shaved head wasn’t the first thing people noticed, although I knew it would be impossible.
He didn’t complain, but he didn’t talk much either, and that hurt me more than any crying.
Before leaving, I asked her if she wanted to wear the curl she had kept since Thursday.
He took it out of a small box and held it in his hand, looking at it as if it were something fragile and valuable at the same time.
—Yes —she whispered—, it’s for Lily.
In the car, the silence was heavy but not uncomfortable.
Mark drove with his eyes fixed straight ahead, while I watched our children in the rearview mirror, feeling that something important was about to break or heal.
When we arrived, Brenda already had the table ready, as always, impeccable, perfect, as if nothing had happened.
She greeted us with a broad smile, too broad, as if happiness could cover any crack.
“There they are!” he exclaimed. “Come in, come in, the food is almost ready.”
Her eyes paused for a second on Leo’s head, but she said nothing, only nodded slightly, as if silently congratulating herself.
That’s what hurt me the most.
We sat down at the table with other family members, light conversations filled the air, laughter that seemed out of place, as if someone had changed the script without warning.
Leo stayed close to me, his little hand squeezing mine under the table, seeking a security he hadn’t needed to ask for before.
Dinner progressed with courses being served and trivial comments, until Brenda finally spoke about what everyone was avoiding.
“Well,” he said, cutting a piece of meat, “I think Leo looks much better now. More… appropriate.”
The silence fell suddenly.
I felt Mark’s body tense up next to me, but he didn’t speak immediately.
Instead, he slowly got up from his chair and walked into the living room without saying a word.
He returned with the laptop in his hand.
