My Son Came Home Carrying a One-Eyed Ginger Cat Because He Said They Were Alike – But Two Days Later, the Note Hidden Beneath the Collar Left Us in Tears

“You followed my child?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “There isn’t any excuse. I was desperate, but that still doesn’t make it okay.”

I stayed silent.

“I’m sorry. I was terrified you’d say no, and I was even more terrified of failing Leo again. And…”

“What?”

“Leo’s birthday is Saturday. Every year, the people who loved him gather in the hospital garden. I wanted Benji—Captain—to be there this year.”

I stood so quickly the chair scraped loudly behind me.

“No. I can’t take Noah back there.”