Maya asked if he was rich, because she had seen a picture of his office building online.

Lucas wanted to know if he knew how to ride a two-wheel bike.

Clara noticed the dimple on his cheek, and reached up, and touched her own matching one, wonderingly.

And Leo said nothing at all.

When at last the other three broke ranks and ran off to the swings, Leo stayed exactly where he was, planted in front of Alex, a five-year-old holding his ground.

“My mom never talked bad about you,” the boy said quietly.