“Yes, you can.”
“I really can’t.”
Ethan looked at me. “Mom?”
I swallowed. “It’s your money.”
“Can I give it to him?”
I looked at Malcolm.
Then at my son. “Yes.”
Malcolm covered his mouth with one hand.
He looked down at the envelope
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
Ethan smiled. “All I know is you need it more than I do.”
Malcolm laughed through his tears.
Then he pulled Ethan into a brief hug. “Thank you.”
I cried right there on the sidewalk.
I couldn’t help it.
When we finally walked away, Ethan looked back twice.
We did not buy the guitar that day.
At least, not with his money.
In the car, I said, “I’ll buy the guitar.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Mom, that’s not fair.”
“To whom?”
“I wanted to save for it.”
“You did.”
“And then I gave the money away.”
“Also true.”
“So I should start again.”
