For a moment, nobody moved.
Then the room filled with applause.
Theo covered his ears briefly, startled by the sudden noise.
I immediately gestured toward the quiet room, but he shook his head.
After a few seconds, he lowered his hands.
“I am okay,” he whispered.
Then he smiled.
A woman approached him after the gathering.
“I wanted to tell you that your words helped me,” she said. “I sometimes feel embarrassed when I need help. I don’t like people knowing.”
Theo listened.
She continued.
“But you reminded me that needing help doesn’t make someone a bad person.”
Theo thought about that.
“Everyone needs help sometimes.”
The woman nodded.
“Yes. They do.”
He gave her a small smile.
“I am glad you came today.”
She thanked him and walked away.
I stood a few feet behind him, trying to keep my emotions under control.
That night, when we returned home, I asked Theo whether he had enjoyed the gathering.
