That Saturday, we met at the park. We were close to that same spot near the lake where Mark found the teddy when Mark spotted Leo and his mom. The boys didn’t hesitate.
They ran toward each other. When they collided, it was awkward, hard, and perfect. Like no time had passed at all.
The bear sat between them on the ground while they played. Leo’s mom, Mandy, and I talked nearby about schedules and school, and how maybe we could all do better at slowing down. When it was time to leave, Mark hugged Leo again.
“Don’t disappear again,” he said. “I won’t,” Leo promised. He then turned to me.
“I was so sad without my friend, but you saved me! Thank you.”
Now they meet every other weekend. Sometimes more often.
And when I tuck Mark in at night, Bear sits on the shelf above his bed. It doesn’t speak anymore, which is exactly how it should be. But I know better now than to ignore the quiet things, the things that ask for help without knowing how to say it out loud.
If this happened to you, what would you do? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the Facebook comments.
