Chapter 34. “On The Basis Of His Good Looks”

The day felt long, and Caitlin couldn’t stop herself from fast-forwarding through the recorded footage of her son’s day at kindergarten. The sounds of children laughing, the teachers’ voices, and occasionally someone calling out Howard’s name filled the air. But as she watched, she couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face.

The silence of her son’s world was heartbreaking.

She could hear the voices of other children, laughing and shouting, but she couldn’t hear her own son. The cruel mocking of Howard as “the mute child,” and especially the taunts from Audrey’s son, cut deep into her heart. Her mind swirled with the thought of what it must be like for Howard: unable to speak, unable to express himself, being the target of others’ cruelty.

She couldn’t bear the thought. How would it feel to be a little child, having no voice to defend himself? He must feel so lonely, so helpless.

Her heart shattered as the tears kept flowing. She regretted everythin