Ethan Keeps Watch
Chapter 12 - Ethan Keeps Watch
Ethan kept watch from a plastic chair outside the secure room.
A social worker tried to move him to a warmer office. A nurse offered soup. A detective offered a blanket that was not scratchy. Ethan refused all relocation attempts with the stubbornness of a child who had been moved too often by adults who called it helping.
“I can see the door from here,” he said.
So they let him stay.
Through the room window, he could see Hope sleeping in a bassinet, still wrapped in the pale pink blanket after medical staff confirmed it was safe and dry enough to remain near her. A nurse sat beside her. Another officer stood at the hall.
Miller returned near noon, rainwater dripping from his coat.
Ethan jumped up. “Did you find her?”
“Yes.”
“Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
The boy’s whole body sagged with relief.
Miller crouched in front of him despite his wet knees. “She said you were brave.”
Ethan looked away. “I was scared.”
“Brave doesn’t mean not scared.”
“That’s what adults say.”
“Because sometimes it’s true.”
Ethan wiped his nose on the blanket around his shoulders and looked through the window at the baby.
“She told me police station,” he said. “She said Officer Miller like she knew you would help.”
Miller felt the weight of that trust.
“I should have helped sooner.”
Ethan looked at him sharply. Children were merciless when truth was visible.
“Why didn’t you?”
Miller did not give him a badge-shaped answer.
“Because I waited for permission from people who wanted me to wait.”
Ethan considered that.
“Don’t do that again.”
Miller nodded.
“I won’t.”
Inside the room, Hope stirred, tiny face turning toward the sound of voices.
Ethan pressed one hand gently to the glass.
“Hi, Hope,” he whispered.
May you like
The baby slept on.
But the name stayed.
