“You don’t have to protect me from being your mother,” I told him.

He looked down at the bike light and clicked it on.

A small white circle brightened the wall.

“Mr.

Bell said a little light is better than pretending you can see in the dark.”

“He sounds right about that.”

Toby switched the light off and placed it on the dresser.

For the first time since returning home, he lay down beneath his own blanket while I was still in the room.