Several people laughed softly.
“At first, I didn't understand.”
My voice broke.
“I thought the boy we'd loved since childhood was making a spectacle of our grief.”
I looked down.
“But then he told us about a promise.”
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I continued.
“Ethan wanted Caleb to stop being afraid of what strangers might think. And Caleb wanted to keep his word.”
I looked toward the photograph.
“Neither of them knew that a silly dare would become something that helped so many families.”
I wiped my eyes.
Then smiled.
“My son didn't get to grow older. He didn't get married or have children. He didn't get to see the world the way he'd hoped.”
The room was silent.
“But a part of the love he gave his best friend kept growing.”
I looked toward Caleb.
“And for that, I will always be grateful.”
After the event, David and I returned home.
