Leo had been told about Simon’s death with support suited to his age.

Denise helped me understand what he already knew, so I would not surprise him with information or expect him to comfort me.

Sometimes he mentioned Simon while playing.

“He put this bit here,” he said once, describing a train track that was no longer in front of him.

“I can imagine him doing that.”

“Then it fell.”

“That sounds like him, too.”

Leo grinned.