Mikhail doesn’t give anything away. He’s watching me, assessing every word out of my mouth. Somehow, this moment feels more exposing than any we’ve ever had.
“I want you in his life, Mikhail. I just… I want other people in his life, too. Friends, teachers, teammates. Dante is an extrovert. He makes friends everywhere he goes and likes playing with other kids. If we keep him locked up here, he’ll grow to hate it.”
Mikhail takes a deep breath. “I want him to have the best education money can buy. He wasn’t getting that at his other school.”
“I know. He can count to sixty-seven now.” Just like that, the bubble of tension pops and I can’t find the energy to stand anymore. Panic attacks always leave me exhausted. I walk backwards to the bed and sink down on the edge of the mattress.
“I want
