The judge nodded and signaled a bailiff, who came over and helped Toby hold the bottom seam open.

Inside the hem, in faded blue ink, ran a line of messy hand-printed letters:

MY MOM MAKES OUR SMALL HOME FEEL LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD.

I covered my mouth with both hands. I’d washed that shirt dozens of times and never once seen it.

Judge Leonard read the words in silence. Then he turned his head toward Russell.

“Mr. Davenport, were you aware your son had written this inside his clothing?”