mommy did you have juice?

we have told him juice is not good for you
it’s the only off-limits food/drink we have
everything else in moderation
but no juice
——————————
he asked if she was cold
he asked if she was scared
he asked if she was hungry
he asked why she died
no, no, no, i don’t know
she was warm and loved and full
oh because a terrible accident happened

mommy, in the sweetest voice he asks
did you have juice when she was in your tummy?

and i shake my head sadly no
wanting desperately to take responsibility
for why tinsley died
to help make this make sense for him
but i dont take the easy way out

no sweet boy, i did not have any juice
she died because a terrible accident happened

he sighs and says that’s sad
and we go back to playing trains.