The sun had barely climbed over the rooftops when Dad called out, keys jingling in his hand, “CUTIS! Let’s go to the market!” Normally, this invitation would send CUTIS racing to the door, shoes half on, eyes sparkling with excitement at the thought of snacks and little surprises. But that morning, something was different.
CUTIS didn’t move.
Instead, he sat quietly on the living room floor beside BuEm, who was carefully lining up her toys. Dad called again, louder this time, but CUTIS only shook his head and wrapped an arm protectively around his younger sister. “I’m not going,” he said softly. Dad froze, surprised. CUTIS never refused a market trip.
BuEm looked up, confused. “Brother, why?” she asked, her small voice trembling. CUTIS smiled at her, but there was worry hiding behind his eyes. The night before, BuEm had woken up crying from a bad dream, clinging to CUTIS until she finally fell asleep again. CUTIS had promised her he wouldn’t leave her alone today.
Dad knelt down, trying to understand. “Did something happen?” he asked gently. CUTIS hesitated, then whispered, “BuEm is scared. She needs me.” BuEm’s eyes filled with tears, and she nodded quickly, grabbing CUTIS’s sleeve as if afraid he might disappear.
In that moment, Dad’s heart softened. He realized this wasn’t stubbornness or laziness—it was love. CUTIS wasn’t refusing the market; he was choosing responsibility. He was choosing family.
Dad smiled and stood up. “Alright,” he said warmly. “You stay home together. I’ll be back soon.” Relief washed over CUTIS’s face. He hugged BuEm tightly, and she giggled, her fear melting away.
While Dad was gone, CUTIS played games with BuEm, read her favorite story twice, and even helped her clean up her toys. By the time Dad returned, the house was filled with laughter instead of worry.
Dad set down the groceries and watched the two siblings playing. In that simple moment, he understood what was really going on: CUTIS was growing up. He wasn’t just a child anymore—he was a protector, a brother who knew that sometimes, staying home matters more than going anywhere else.
