"Mummy, how long do I have to stay here?", Ben asked Erin, after he was brought to Voights house.
Erin glanced at Hank, who looked at both in concern.
"I'm not as bad as you think", Voight joked, without getting the attention he aimed for.
Normally the six year old adored his grandpa. But after knowing, that he only would be able to see his parents twice a week, when Hank picked him up from school, the situation got a little bit different.
Erin smiled at him sadly, kneeling down to their pre-schooler and put her hands on his shoulders.
„Listen, buddy. It's just for a few days, probably some weeks and I know you're already a really big guy who is able to handle this. All right?"
„Why are you crying, Mummy?"
Erin did a bad job hiding her tears in front of her son, even if she tried her best to wipe the upcoming water away.
„You better go now", Hank whispered trying to make saying good bye as easy as possible , before Erin hugged her son.
„Mummy got some dust in her eyes. Nothing serious. She's fine", Erin kissed him, before she silently walked to the door, without turning around.
Ben stared at the table, an unhappy expression on his face.
„Hey, little man. What about playing with your cool new car", Hank grabbed some matchbox, getting Ben to shook his head.
„I'm tired. I think I'm going to bed", Ben whispered before he left the room, while being watched by a worried Hank Voight…
CPDCPDCPDCPD
„Ben? May I come in?", a dark voice whispered, when Hank Voight entered the room of his grandson one week later.
The rise and fall of the blanket revealed in what kind of constitution the pre-schooler was.
It didn't need to be a professional to see that he was crying, while he was hidding under the cover, even if the blanket was wrapped around his little body.
Voight sat down on the mattress, gently placing his hand on Bens little back, stroking up and down.
„Listen, kid. I know that things aren't easy for you. But I want you to know, that you're a really brave young man who already managed to stay here for a very long time and that your parents are really proud of you. Do you hear me?"
After this words Ben crawled out of his blanket, sitting up in his bed.
„But I miss my Mummy and Daddy", he sobbed being pulled in a deep hug by Hank.
„I know you are. But I promise you will be back very soon. And tomorrow we gonna meet them in the office. How does that sound?"
Ben sniffled, trying to wipe his tears away.
He didn't respond, just looked at the desk.
„Do they still love me and want me back?"
Hank swallowed hard. He had gone through a lot in his entire life, but after this question he felt like he lost the ground under his feet.
Obviously Ben thought it was about him.
„For sure. Why are you asking?"
The little boy shrugged his shoulders.
„Look, this ain't some kind of a punishment. Your Mum and Da decided to send you here, because they want you to be in a safe place. And it's not forever, even if it feels like."
„Really?"
„Really."
Ben snuggled on Hanks shoulders, placing his little head on Voights chest.
„Grandpa?"
„Yeah?"
„Can you stay with me tonight? I feel lonely"
„Come here. Let'sget you to my room. It has more space for both of us."
Ben hesitated.
„And can I bring Mr. Owl with me?", he pointed at his stuffed animal, making Voight laugh.
„Alright, attaboy. Hurry up. It's already late."
CPDCPDCPD
„Erin he's gonna be fine. Voight is with him. There is no need to be afraid."
Erin put her phone on the night stand, lying back next to Jays chest again.
„Thats not what I'm worrying about."
She looked at the photo on Jays shelf, which showed the whole family.
„He's just six. After being shot he is forced to live with his grandpa. What is this gonna make with a kid? What would you feel if your parents would send you away like a bag of trash, while they're working with the person you live with. It's totally insane."
Jay sighed.
„Erin were not forcing anything. He's just staying there for a couple of days and we didn't send him to some kind of boarding school in Alaska. He's with Voight right now. Like on a holiday. Don't make such a big deal out of it. He played with his new Lego house and seemed okay today"
„Yeah, if you ignore his pale skin colour and his new eating attitudes or his bad grades in school he is as well as a boy can be."
Jay groaned stressed.
„It's three weeks after the shooting and we didn't get the shoter yet. How long do you want him to be away from us? Until he's 18?"
Jay moved away from her, sitting up in bed again.
His whole body language told, that he didn't like to talk about it anymore.
„Listen, you were the one, who got the idea of sending him alone. I wanted both of you to stay at Voights house. That's when you wouldn't leave me alone."
„Waite? You think it's my fault? Are you kidding me? So, I am the bad mum, who sent him away while his parents enjoy life without him."
„No, that's not what I'm saying."
Erin jumped out of bed, putting her shirt on.
„What are you doing?"
„ I'm gonna drive to Voight. Afterwards I'm sleeping on the couch. You're better not waiting for me", she screamed at him, before she left with a loud noise of a closed door…