Bell had encouraged us to help him rebuild his confidence through safe choices that fit his age.

So we used a low counter, and I handled the hot pot while he measured the pasta and stirred the cheese sauce once it had cooled.

He watched every step, as serious as a foreman checking equipment.

When we served dinner, he set a helping in front of me and waited.

“It’s good,” I told him.

He smiled.

“It doesn’t have to be done by ten, right?”

“It doesn’t have to be done by any time at all.”