Finally, Leo's mom answered.
She looked surprised to see me, then embarrassed, like she'd been caught off guard in her own life.
"Oh, hi," she said. "You're Mark's dad, right?"
"That's me," I said, relieved she remembered. "Sorry to bother you. I know this is random."
She smiled politely. "It's fine. What's up?"
She looked surprised to see me.
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"I wanted to ask about Leo," I said. "Mark's been wondering why he hasn't seen him at the park."
Her smile faltered.
"Oh, yeah. We've just been adjusting. I got a promotion at work, and it's been a bit crazy. I don't have as much time as I used to."
I nodded. "I feel really awkward doing this, but we need to talk about your son. He's not doing okay."
Her smile faltered.
She arched her eyebrows. "What would you know about my son?"
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I told her the truth — but gently — about the bear, the device inside it, and how Leo had used it to plead for help from my son.
She covered her mouth with her hand as I spoke.
"Oh my God," she said quietly. "Leo…"
I told her the truth — but gently.
She told me that Leo hadn't been himself lately.
She'd tried to make time for them to go to the park together, but she often had to work over the weekend to keep up with her new duties at work.
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I stayed for almost an hour.
By the time I left, plans were already forming.
She'd tried to make time for them to go to the park together.
That Saturday, we met at the park.
We were close to that same spot near the lake where Mark found the teddy when Mark spotted Leo and his mom.
The boys didn't hesitate. They ran toward each other.
When they collided, it was awkward, hard, and perfect.
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Like no time had passed at all.
Mark spotted Leo and his mom.
The bear sat between them on the ground while they played.
Leo's mom, Mandy, and I talked nearby about schedules and school, and how maybe we could all do better at slowing down.
When it was time to leave, Mark hugged Leo again.
"Don't disappear again," he said.
Maybe we could all do better at slowing down.
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