“Theo,” I said, into his hair.

“Listen to me, because this is important.

You didn’t do anything wrong.

Do you hear me?

Nothing.

Telling me was exactly the right thing to do.

And I want you to remember something forever: if any grown-up, ever, asks you to keep a secret that makes you feel scared, or weird, or sad — you can always, always tell me, and you will never, ever be in trouble for it.

That is a promise.” I felt his small body loosen against mine, felt some knot that had been in him for weeks begin, slightly, to come undone.