The word grandpa had arrived naturally, without anyone instructing Theo to use it.

Frank’s eyes had filled the first time he heard it.

Then he pretended dust from the garage had gotten into them.

After the visit, I took Theo for ice cream.

He asked why some people wore hearing aids and others did not.

I told him bodies work in different ways and people sometimes need tools or accommodations to communicate.

He considered this, then decided hearing aids were a little like his bright yellow rain boots: useful equipment for a particular problem.

That evening I shared the story with Frank.