Laura continued.
“What happens when his mother isn't standing ten feet away?”
Alex looked at her.
His mother wasn't speaking only for him.
She was speaking for every child who had ever been treated as suspicious simply because someone decided they didn't belong.
Laura turned to Eleanor.
“You may not have intended to cause harm.”
Eleanor looked down.
“But assumptions have consequences.”
Eleanor's voice became quiet.
“I'm sorry.”
Alex looked at her.
Eleanor continued.
“I shouldn't have called.”
Alex didn't immediately answer.
He was still processing everything.
Finally he said:
“I just wanted to wait for my mom.”
Eleanor nodded.
“I know.”
She wiped away a tear.
“I should have asked you first.”
Alex looked at her.
“Why didn't you?”
Eleanor had no answer.
After several seconds, she said:
“I don't know.”