We pull up to the interstate McDonald's and I wonder how many other such exchanges are happening all over this country. We all put on our brave faces and my sister does her best to hide her fear and sorrow and worry behind her big sunglasses. My buddy does his absolute best to distract me from loading him into the car seat in his grandmother's car by requesting that we run in the grass instead. Only, once we get into the grassy area, there was no "red light/green light" game as we had played that morning. He just kept one arm wrapped around my leg.

He eventually consented to holding his grandmother's hand and was able to keep his brave face on right up until the moment his mama leaned down to give him a hug. There are not many things more sad than the crumpling face of a 2.5 year old who is trying to be stoic.