PART 33

Mr.

Dawson became something of an honorary grandfather, though he protested the title every time we used it.

He brought over a wooden toy train he’d found at a neighborhood sale, sanded its rough edges and cleaned it before asking whether Wesley could have it.

“Only when he’s old enough for it,” he said.

“I don’t need your pediatrician blaming me for a splinter.”

We placed it on a shelf for later.