“He doesn’t need anyone to hold him up anymore.”

Theodore let go of the wicker chair and took one small, shaky step forward across the porch carpet.

His arms wobbled in the air for balance as he took a second shaky step, his eyes fixed on the silver chain pinned to Raymond’s sweater.

He took a third step, his feet landing soft and sure on the carpet.

Raymond dropped his walking stick onto the rug, reached down with both hands, and caught the boy safely in his arms.

He lifted Theodore onto his knee and laughed out loud, the sound booming clear and full from his chest.