Theodore babbled happily, pressing his face into Raymond’s shoulder and reaching for the shiny metal chain.

Raymond unclipped the silver pocket watch from his vest and held the heavy polished case in his palm.

He pressed the small spring at the top, and the silver lid clicked open in the sunlight.

“Listen to this, little man,” Raymond said softly.

He gently held the open pocket watch against Theodore’s small ear.

Theodore went completely still, his blue wool blanket trailing over his grandfather’s knee as he listened to the steady rhythm inside the silver case.

The soft ticking filled the warm afternoon porch.