Before I can ask what he’s doing, he settles back into his chair, this time with me right on his lap. He picks up the book he was reading, flips to the first page, and starts to read out loud. His voice is like a fire, warm and comforting, inviting me to sink into him. So I do. I relax against his large body, resting my head on his shoulder and closing my eyes so I can focus on his words. Barrett uses one arm to hold me close, making me feel safe in a way I’ve never felt before.
