“It’s not like that. He made a commitment to his learning and I made a commitment to his teaching. He shows up for me and I show up for him. And…I’m the adult. He trusts me.”

As he spoke, his eyes were going to the cooler under the table. His chest was thrumming unpleasantly. He took a deep breath.

“That’s how it is. I can’t leave him alone. What would I be teaching him about the world…about people…if I did that?”