He nodded but didn’t speak. Brave as ever, but I could tell he was scared.
Afterward, I told him I had a surprise. Something small.
“Hot chocolate?” he whispered, hopeful, like even asking felt too big.
I smiled. “You earned it, buddy. Let’s go get some.”
We walked a few blocks to a sleek café near Main Street. It was all white tile and wooden counters, full of quiet customers sipping expensive drinks and typing away on shiny laptops. It was the kind of place where people look up when the door opens but not long enough to smile.
