Marcus nodded. “Kids take rules seriously. In their minds, ‘bad thing’ equals ‘police’ equals ‘jail.’”
The little girl flinched again at the word.
Marcus softened his tone. “Here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to go home with Mommy and Daddy. You’re going to show them your special place. And if you find the ring, you’re going to give it back and say you’re sorry. That’s the whole consequence.”
The girl’s brows knit. “No jail?”
“No jail.”
She stared at him like she wasn’t sure she could trust happiness. “Promise?”
Marcus lifted his hand like he was taking an oath. “Promise.”
Her shoulders sagged in a way that looked like a whole week of fear melting off her.
The mother pressed her forehead to her daughter’s hair and whispered, “Oh baby… I’m so sorry you were carrying that alone.”
