In meals that arrived without conditions.
In calls he returned.
In promises small enough to keep and important enough to remember.
Teddy yawned.
“Can we leave the mess until morning?”
“The kitchen needs a little help first.”
“Do I have to?”
“You can put your plate by the sink. Then you can go upstairs.”
His son picked it up.
At the doorway, he stopped.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“You’re coming for the story?”
Sebastian stood.
“Yes.”
Teddy nodded and went ahead.
He did not count tasks.
He did not check a page.
He left his chair where it stood, certain it would still be there when he came back.
And, this time, he was right.
