“I colored my apple red because I thought I was following the rules.”
Beau reached over and gently tapped the tip of her nose. “Rules are helpful and it’s good to follow them most of the time. They can keep us safe, but sometimes, in certain situations, it’s okay to bend them a little.”
Palmer slid from her chair and walked to him. He lifted her on his lap and held her close.
“I’ve been scared of being bad for a long time,” she said.
“I know, pretty baby.”
“Maybe next time I can color an apple purple.”
Beau kissed the top of her head. “And I will put it on the fridge. Just like I did today.”
Resting her head on his chest, she played with his fingers. Her brow was wrinkled in concentration.
“Pretty baby?”
“Yes, Daddy?” Palmer said, blinking as if she were trying to blink her thoughts away.
“When I was unpacking your backpack, I found a preschool calendar.”
“Yes, Sir. Miss Samantha gave it to me so we could decide what days would be so super fun for me to come visit. I would like to do sock day,” she explained.
“Can we talk about the part you scribbled over?” He’d been confused when he’d seen the date, but he’d wanted to hear all about her day before he questioned her about it.
Palmer’s eyes widened.
“Why did you color over the date?” Beau asked gently. “Do you want to tell Daddy about it?”
“Maybe I didn’t color over the date.”
Beau hesitated. “Who colored over it, then?” he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
“Maybe Allysa.”
“Allysa?” Beau asked, racking his mind for a Little one named Allysa.
Palmer reached for her backpack. Beau plucked it off the back of his chair and handed it to her. She reached in and pulled out her baby doll. “This is Allysa.”
Beau smiled. “You gave her a name.”
“Yeah, I figured she needed one since she’s a part of our family.”
Beau extended his hand and shook the doll’s plastic one. “Welcome to the family, Allysa.”
Palmer set the baby in her lap. “Would you be upset with her if she colored over the date?”
“No, baby. I would ask her why and try to help her with her big feelings, but I wouldn’t be upset.”
Palmer looked down at her pie. “It was May 28th,” she answered after a long pause.
Beau waited for her to continue. When she didn’t he asked, “Why doesn’t she like May 28th?”
Palmer sighed deeply. “It wasn't Allysa, Daddy. It was me.”
“Thank you for telling me the truth, pretty baby. What don’t you like about May 28th?”
“That was the day my foster parents said they were going to kick me out,” she admitted, her voice small. “They said I had to be gone that day.”