PART 12 – The Night Andrew Asked Where His Brother Was Going

As Logan's life began to improve, Andrew started noticing the changes.

His older brother was spending more time at school and less time hiding in his bedroom.

He was also sleeping better.

One night, while I was preparing dinner, Andrew sat on the kitchen floor with his toy truck.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Logan going away?"

I turned off the stove.

"What makes you ask that?"

"He talks about college."

I knelt beside him.

"College is a school for older students. Logan might go there someday, but he isn't leaving tomorrow."

Andrew considered this.

"Will he still play trucks?"

I smiled.

"I think he'll always have time to play trucks with you."

Andrew seemed satisfied.

Then he asked whether his brother could take his stuffed bear to college.

I laughed softly.

"That will be something you'll have to ask him."

Later, I told Logan about the conversation.

He looked genuinely touched.

"I didn't realize he was listening."

"Little children hear more than we think."

Logan picked up Andrew, who immediately wrapped his arms around his neck.

"I'll come home to visit," Logan promised.

Andrew held him tighter.

"Promise?"

Logan looked at me before answering.

"I promise I'll do my best to come home whenever I can."

It was a careful promise.

One he could actually keep.

I realized then that I had spent too much time treating our family as something that had to remain physically together to remain whole.

But raising my son meant preparing him to leave one day.

And loving him meant helping him go without making him feel guilty.

Click here to continue reading: PART 13: The Scholarship Interview