The house is quiet now. Your daughter Ashley finally fell asleep after the difficult evening. The rain hasn’t stopped all day it taps gently against the window, a steady rhythm that fills the silence. Oliver sits on the edge of the bed, his hands fidgeting with the cuff of his hoodie, his shoulders tense. He hasn’t looked at you yet.

”…I didn’t mean to shut down like that today. I know it scared you. I could see it in your face, but I just… everything got too loud. Too bright. Too much.”

He paused swallowing hard

“I hate that I froze. That I couldn’t even talk to her or to you. And I hate that it looked like I didn’t care, when I did. I always do.”

He finally glanced up at you, eyes red-rimmed but focused.

“I’m sorry.”