Ollie did not owe me the story of his three years.

He did not need to relive them so that I could feel included in them.

What he needed was for the grown-up in his life to notice what frightened him and quietly remove it, no questions asked, no price of admission, no tell me why and then I’ll help. A closed door scared him; I propped every door open and never made him say the word that was under the fear.

That was the deal I made with both of them without ever speaking it aloud: you never have to explain yourselves to me.