I hugged her harder.
I would never be angry with you for being afraid.
Then I looked at Daniel.
“But you had to tell me.
I know.
“You sneak into his room every night.
I know.
You told him to hide it from me.
His eyes were filled with regret.
I know.
And when I came in, you didn’t even let me get close to her.
He looked at the little object he had in his hand.
Because he still had something in his mouth.
I stood still.
What?
He knelt next to Lily.
Open your mouth for Mom.
Lily hesitated.
Then he opened it slowly.
I was inclined.
And I saw it.
A small pale piece was trapped near the back of his mouth.
I put my hand to my face.
And I started crying again.
Not because Daniel would have hurt her.
But because I suddenly understood how scared he had been too.
I was trying to get it out when I came in.
Daniel put a hand on my shoulder.
“I was afraid that if you ran to her, she would be scared and swallowed.
I looked at him in tears.
“Even so, you should have told me.
I know.
No more secrets.
“Never again.
Over the next few weeks, Lily received the right help and the habit gradually disappeared.
The white box disappeared.
Daniel stopped coming out of the bed in hiding.
And Lily stopped being afraid at night.
But I never forgot that night.
Because for days I imagined the worst that could be happening behind that door.
And the truth was also scary—
Just not for the reason I had imagined.
