“We were also talking about Nate,” said Carson. “What he needs.”
Dora’s focus immediately sharpened.
“And how he’s having a hard time letting go of what happened to Delphine,” she continued.
“We know you’re worried about how he’s holing up in his room too much,” Harper said. “So we asked ourselves, what would bring him out of his shell? And the answer came quickly—dolphins. But he feels guilty about what happened to Delphine, even though he shouldn’t. You know that, we know that. But Nate doesn’t. So I did some research and discovered that there are several places that offer special dolphin programs for kids. A place where he could interact with them in a safe and secure way to give him a new perspective. We checked with Blake and he agreed that the program at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida would be a good one.”
“Is it a therapy program?” Dora asked, more than a hint of skepticism in her voice.
Harper answered, “It’s not a therapy program per se, but a program for children with special needs. The goal of the week’s program is set by the staff and you, to personalize it, which I think is important, especially for Nate.”
“Nate will be with dolphins again,” Carson said. “Only this time, it’s the proper setting. Not in the wild. He can feel safe and know he can’t hurt them, or they him.”
“Take a look,” Harper said, moving the laptop so Dora could see the screen. “Here’s the website.”
Dora took the laptop from Harper. “It looks interesting. Nate had always responded better to animals than to humans, especially dolphins. So you think I should take him there?”
Harper looked at Carson before turning back to Dora. She knew this part was going to be the hard sell.
“Actually, we think we should take him and you should stay here.”
Dora drew back. “What?”
“We know this is outside your comfort zone, so try to indulge in a little sideways thinking,” Harper said. “You need a break, Dora.”
“Absolutely not. I can’t let you take Nate without me.”
“Why not?” asked Carson.
“First of all, he won’t go with you. Secondly, well . . .” she sputtered. “I won’t let you take him.”
“It’s your decision, of course,” Harper said in a persuasive voice. “But consider this. Mothers of special-needs kids need a break. Right? Does Nate have special needs?”
“Of course he does,” Dora said with short temper.
“Are you his mother?”
Dora shook her head, her brow furrowed. “I know where you’re going with this,” she said irritably, “and I can’t let him go.”
“Listen to what you just said,” Carson said gently. “You can’t let him go. Dora, sweet sister, you’re holding on to him so tight. Ease up a little. There’s no way we can persuade you that what you fear might happen won’t happen, but trust Nate. Trust us. We’ll be fine.”
“He’s still angry at you!” Dora countered. “What makes you think he’ll go with you?”
Carson smiled and in that moment Dora thought she looked uncannily like Mamaw.
“Delphine,” Carson said cagily.
Dora narrowed her eyes.
“I’ll take him to see Delphine after the program,” Carson added.
“How many extra days will that be?”
“Just one. And you’re missing the point.”
“And that is?”
“If he needs to see Delphine, he’ll say yes and that will be our answer. If he says no . . .” She flipped her hands up. “We’ll agree with you and we’ll nix the whole idea.”
“Regardless of what he answers, why don’t I just take him to this program?” Dora said.
“You could,” Harper answered. “Or, you could take a break instead.” She took hold of Dora’s hands and inspected them. “Look at your nails. You desperately need a manicure.”
Dora tried to tug back her hands but Harper held tight.
“You need time to notice such things,” she said gently. “To take some time for yourself.”
“One week,” Carson said. “That’s not long. If you went away to a spa, it would be at least five days.”
Dora turned to Carson, the struggle visible on her face. “Carson, do you think you could handle Nate? He is a sweet boy, but he can be difficult.”
“Did you forget I took care of him for almost as long last month and look how well he did.”
“But that was here . . . with dolphins.”
“We’re going to see dolphins!” Carson persisted. “Dora, I love Nate, and even though he’s mad at me, I know he loves me, too.”
“And me,” Harper added. “We’ve become fast friends.”
Dora took the papers Harper had printed and began leafing through them. Harper exchanged a hopeful look with Carson. After several minutes, Dora set the papers aside and looked long and hard at Carson, trying to make up her mind.
“This is scary for me.”
“We know,” Carson said.
“It seems like a good idea . . .” she hedged.
Harper and Carson remained silent, giving Dora time. The silence stretched on while Dora rocked slightly in thought. When she stopped, she reached out to rest her hand on Carson’s arm.
“I couldn’t trust Nate to anyone but you.”
Carson’s face softened as she put her hand over Dora’s. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you down. I’ll take good care of him. And I’ll call you if I need you. But, hey, he’s my nephew. I’ve babysat for him before, remember? We’ll be fine.”
“You’re so kind to do this.”
“You’d do the same for me,” Carson replied.
Harper shifted back, feeling her enthusiasm wither. She knew in her heart that it made sense for Carson to take Nate to Florida. Carson and Nate had shared experiences with dolphins, Carson could take him to visit Delphine. It was their thing. Yet it had been her idea in the first place to go to the program, and Carson had run away with it. That and the fact that Dora didn’t even consider her qualified to take Nate made her feel as she did when she was very young and her two older sisters walked off together engaged in intense dialogue that didn’t include her, not even realizing they’d left her behind.