My son’s teacher kept him after school three days a week. I assumed he was in trouble—until she texted, “Your son has been asking to stay.”
When he finally opened up, my heart shattered. He said the classroom was quiet. Calm. No yelling. No chaos. He could finish homework, help his teacher, and feel safe.
Then he whispered, “I stay so I don’t make you more tired.”
I’d been working double shifts since his dad left, thinking survival was enough. I didn’t realize my child was trying to protect me.
That night, we ordered pizza, turned off our phones, and did homework together.
No classroom lights.
Just us.
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