“I hadn’t thought about it in a long time.”
“Did Dad know?”
“He noticed I avoided smiling in pictures. Eventually, I told him why.”
Daniel reached for my hand.
“And I told her that her smile was one of my favorite things about her.”
“Many times,” I added.
Emma laughed.
But Tyler had become unusually quiet.
He stared down at his plate.
Daniel didn’t criticize him or demand an explanation.
He simply said:
“It’s remarkable how one careless comment can stay with someone long after the person who said it is gone.”
The conversation eventually moved on.
Tyler barely spoke for the rest of dinner.
After dessert, he helped Daniel carry the dishes into the kitchen. I overheard them discussing basketball practice.
Nothing else.
When Tyler left, Emma accompanied him to the door.
She returned looking disappointed.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“Did he say anything about your arms?”
