Beneath them were the words THANK YOU FOR FINDING A SAFER WAY.

“We didn’t know you were making that,” Toby said.

Walter smiled.

“There are some surprises worth keeping.”

We hung the plaque beside the door.

It was not an award for the secret weekends or a celebration of reckless courage.

It was a reminder that caring for people sometimes requires admitting you need other people too.

That evening, Toby told me he was going to Gavin’s house to watch a movie.