I had an anguished moment of breaching my child’s innocence tonight. It all started with the project I was helping him with, a poster on Thurgood Marshall. And that’s great, right?

And we read that he was a staunch opponent of the death penalty. And that’s great, right?

Only: “What is that, Mom? What is the death penalty?”
Really, I had no idea he didn’t know. I told him. I am a firm believer in not unpacking the harsh realities too early for children, but I don’t believe in the outright lie.

“But then the person who put someone to death would have to be put to death, too, right? And then on and on. . .”

Me: “Yes, it would seem like that, but we say that it is the state that puts them to death, not the person.”

Quiet. Thoughtful eyes. “Well, I’m glad they don’t do that anymore.”
Oh, Sonny. “Well, actually. . .”

Then, with certainty, “Only in other countries, right?”
Really. He said that. I knew we were going all the way down this trail. “No, here, too.”

And, here it comes: “But not in Pennsylvania?”

“Yes, in Pennsylvania, too, Buddy. I’m not happy about any of it myself.”

At least if he needs to know this small and terrible truth, he has it in the context of the good man of Thurgood Marshall. Loving Source of the Universe, may he always find violence confusing and strange. May he be one who works for the best of human good.