“What’s that?”
“We must never hit our children.”
She laughed.
“I’m serious. If you ever hit our children, I’ll leave you and take them with me.”
She looked into his eyes and saw a pain she hadn’t seen there before.
“Okay.”
They raised their children with kindness and respect. They grew up to be confident and open-hearted. Now they’re raising their own children as they were raised.
His granddaughter giggles. I didn’t laugh much as a kid, he thinks. His choices make him happy.