But I also knew, watching my son ride proudly beside me, that we were going to be all right, because he had shown me, at thirteen years old, the truest thing I have ever learned about love, and sacrifice, and what it means to be a family.

“You never have to hide anything from me again, Caleb,” I told him, as we walked.

“Not ever.

We’re a team, you and me.

From now on, whatever comes, we carry it together.” And he smiled up at me in the fading light, and leaned his head for a moment against my shoulder as he coasted along, and said, “I know, Mom.

I know we do.” And we did, from that day on.