“Daddy?” “Yeah, buddy?” “Do you love Miss Braelyn yet?” I grunt. “No, Ollie. We’re just friends.” He peeks up at me, shuffling his feet. “Are you sure? She smiles at you a lot. Just like you smile at her.” “Positive. We’re just happy to be around you.” I ruffle his hair, but it doesn’t have the usual effect. Ollie’s features remain flat. In the next beat, his eyes take on their familiar sparkle. “You should hold her hand. I’ll take the seat on the end so you can be together.”
