A boy who could struggle with certain things and still have something valuable to offer.
A boy whose autism was part of his life, but never the limit of his humanity.
And a boy who, on one ordinary afternoon, reminded a grocery store full of adults that kindness was not complicated.
Sometimes, it began with noticing someone else’s pain.
Six months after the incident, Eleanor invited us to Daniel’s tenth birthday party.
She had prepared a small gathering in the community center’s garden.
There were balloons, paper plates, sandwiches, and a chocolate cake decorated with little blue dinosaurs.
Theo and Daniel had become friends.
They spoke on the phone occasionally, although their conversations usually involved very specific topics and sometimes ended abruptly when Theo needed a break.
Daniel had learned not to take those moments personally.
Theo had learned that Daniel sometimes changed the subject without warning.
They were different boys, but they had found a way to understand each other.
