“I wrote that my mom disarms bombs on the beach and deploys with Navy teams,” he said.

“And I wrote that real strength doesn’t need to shout, it just stands up.”

“That’s a fine way to end a paper, Matty,” I said.

He set the paper back down by the brass badge and went over to the wooden bread box to make his afternoon sandwich.

“Can we let Rex and Tank out in the backyard after lunch?” he asked.

“They’re waiting in the truck crates right now,” I said.