The employees surprised him with a brand-new crown — blue glitter, fresh gold lettering, a new elastic band. Kobe put it on and stepped back onto the trampoline.

For a moment he just stood there, children bouncing around him, music filling the building again. Then he bent his knees and jumped. The crown slipped sideways — and he caught it before it could fall.

Everyone cheered. Not because they understood everything that had happened, but because children celebrate small victories.

The thank-you bags were finally handed out. The dinosaur cake was finally cut. Nothing erased the week before. But Kobe made a new memory in the exact place the old one had broken.

Near the end, Nestor came over quietly. “There are two visitors outside.” I looked toward the entrance. Sailor stood beside Mom, holding a small paper bag.

They hadn’t been invited. “Would you like us to ask them to leave?”