“Can I get a hug?” Without arguing, I scooped up his dusty can, which smelled like burnt ash, and pressed him to my chest. “I love you, too, buddy.” He babbled nonsense until his sobs faded, and I set him back down in his special holder. “Thanks, Joe.” “Any time, buddy.” “Um, hey,” he giggled nervously “We shall never speak of this again, huh?” “It never happened.” “Good.” His voice suddenly became gruff. “Hey, did you see that Bears game?” “Helluva game,” I agreed. “Helluva game.”
